A Public Note
This is a public note in response to the comments issued by Mr. Javed Akhtar. Talking over an issue of a woman being raped by her father in law claims, "Assamese women are known for frequently changing husbands and can be purchased in any city of the country."
http://www.newkerala.com/news.php?action=fullnews&id=11092
http://www.nowrunning.com/news/news.asp?it=3872
http://www.newkerala.com/news.php?action=fullnews&id=11462
http://www.chennaionline.com/colnews/newsitem.asp?NEWSID=%7BFD82EDF3-5198-48F8-A0B3-753C9C86D583%7D&CATEGORYNAME=National
A self proclaimed member of "sensible right-thinking Indian's voice". My question to him is, was there any right knowledge behind the thoughts. Is Mr. Akhtar aware of the ethos and practices of Assam or for that matter any part of North-eastern states? A majority of Assam’s population is Hindu, and if Mr. Akhtar is agnostic about the fact that polygamy is banned as per Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, hopes now he will receive some cognizance. Now that was about Hindu act, what about Muslims? Does the Muslim Nikah Nama permit polyandrous relationship, even after the recent changes being brought? Is it even pragmatic to think it is possible in the current male chauvinist society? I would leave the question open as Mr. Akhtar has the "right-thinking". But I believe he will be able to derive, a common person, under a definite reach of law cannot practice any such thing.
Now that was about laws and legal acts, what if it happens illegally? The point is if it is possible at Assam, isn't it equally possible anywhere else in the Country? But how often it happens? I would just like to ask everyone, how many such incidences we have heard of in our life. However, if such an incident occurs, it will be equally reprobated by an Assamese society as by any other part of India.
Now coming to the point where he said, "Assamese women can be purchased in any part of the Country". I cannot deny the fact that there have been a few recent incidences where it has been uncovered that, some women from Assam were transported to a few areas in Northern India in lieu of money. The local people of those areas assert that they cannot afford to marry women from the same community because of the pecuniary factors involved. In fact the roots of such girls were not only found in Assam but it also extends to Bihar and west Bengal. The possibilities of such transactions purely for sexual purposes cannot be denied as well. However, a closer look at the issue will reveal that most of such families, who were involved, were living a life far below the poverty level. Also the core areas involved were the most affected areas of illegal immigration. The stories of a few families say, they migrated to the India in search of a means of living, but their conditions never improved. This issue is in fact not only a matter Assam but of National Concern, we know the areas where prostitution is most in practice. Trading of humans for a malicious purpose is certainly not permissible. Coming back to the point, the cognizant people of India would appreciate; the involved families certainly don’t represent the entire Assamese Community.
He clarifies by saying, "To the best of my recollection, all I said was that while a niece can marry her uncle in certain communities in the South, in Punjab such a practice would amount to incest. Similarly, women in certain societies in the Northeast can marry more than once, which isn't the case elsewhere." Even if he has said this, I would request him to come forward and identify the communities he was referring to. Probably, he would enlighten some of us.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/2005/Aug/01/5922_1448236,0015002100000000.htm
Mr. Akhtar claims this is an effort of BJP to malign him. No Mr. Akhtar, your efforts to shadow the matter with a political and communal smoke would not help. This not a political issue, this is a matter of you talking about a community, which you have least competency to speak about. There is an old saying, "if you don’t know something, at least don't speak prove you it". You are not only guilty to the Women Community you are also condemnable under Humanity. If you know what you said, you better come forward and explain or else you owe a mass apology.
http://www.newkerala.com/news.php?action=fullnews&id=11092
http://www.nowrunning.com/news/news.asp?it=3872
http://www.newkerala.com/news.php?action=fullnews&id=11462
http://www.chennaionline.com/colnews/newsitem.asp?NEWSID=%7BFD82EDF3-5198-48F8-A0B3-753C9C86D583%7D&CATEGORYNAME=National
A self proclaimed member of "sensible right-thinking Indian's voice". My question to him is, was there any right knowledge behind the thoughts. Is Mr. Akhtar aware of the ethos and practices of Assam or for that matter any part of North-eastern states? A majority of Assam’s population is Hindu, and if Mr. Akhtar is agnostic about the fact that polygamy is banned as per Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, hopes now he will receive some cognizance. Now that was about Hindu act, what about Muslims? Does the Muslim Nikah Nama permit polyandrous relationship, even after the recent changes being brought? Is it even pragmatic to think it is possible in the current male chauvinist society? I would leave the question open as Mr. Akhtar has the "right-thinking". But I believe he will be able to derive, a common person, under a definite reach of law cannot practice any such thing.
Now that was about laws and legal acts, what if it happens illegally? The point is if it is possible at Assam, isn't it equally possible anywhere else in the Country? But how often it happens? I would just like to ask everyone, how many such incidences we have heard of in our life. However, if such an incident occurs, it will be equally reprobated by an Assamese society as by any other part of India.
Now coming to the point where he said, "Assamese women can be purchased in any part of the Country". I cannot deny the fact that there have been a few recent incidences where it has been uncovered that, some women from Assam were transported to a few areas in Northern India in lieu of money. The local people of those areas assert that they cannot afford to marry women from the same community because of the pecuniary factors involved. In fact the roots of such girls were not only found in Assam but it also extends to Bihar and west Bengal. The possibilities of such transactions purely for sexual purposes cannot be denied as well. However, a closer look at the issue will reveal that most of such families, who were involved, were living a life far below the poverty level. Also the core areas involved were the most affected areas of illegal immigration. The stories of a few families say, they migrated to the India in search of a means of living, but their conditions never improved. This issue is in fact not only a matter Assam but of National Concern, we know the areas where prostitution is most in practice. Trading of humans for a malicious purpose is certainly not permissible. Coming back to the point, the cognizant people of India would appreciate; the involved families certainly don’t represent the entire Assamese Community.
He clarifies by saying, "To the best of my recollection, all I said was that while a niece can marry her uncle in certain communities in the South, in Punjab such a practice would amount to incest. Similarly, women in certain societies in the Northeast can marry more than once, which isn't the case elsewhere." Even if he has said this, I would request him to come forward and identify the communities he was referring to. Probably, he would enlighten some of us.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/2005/Aug/01/5922_1448236,0015002100000000.htm
Mr. Akhtar claims this is an effort of BJP to malign him. No Mr. Akhtar, your efforts to shadow the matter with a political and communal smoke would not help. This not a political issue, this is a matter of you talking about a community, which you have least competency to speak about. There is an old saying, "if you don’t know something, at least don't speak prove you it". You are not only guilty to the Women Community you are also condemnable under Humanity. If you know what you said, you better come forward and explain or else you owe a mass apology.
