So, a grown-up woman’s father in Kutch asked the Gujarat state government to look after his daughter so that she did not face any problems. It seems the state machinery, led by Mr Modi, promptly obliged and put her under illegal surveillance. Even the thought of Big Brother watching you is scary. Here are ten reasons why I don't want unwanted protection from the state or my family..
- Because I do not want my limited free time and my conversations with men or women (dates, friends, colleagues) to be monitored
- 'Protection' is the worst form of control and the worst form of patriarchy
- It takes the forms of brothers spying on sisters and parents keeping an eye on their daughters (and sometimes even their sons) "for their own good" but actually exercising all forms of checks to see that they do not step out of line
- The "stepping out of line", of course, is hanging out with, making friends with or meeting and marrying people of their choice as against suitable parent-approved and society-stamped candidates
- Protection takes away a person's risk-taking, adventurous spirit by confining him to "safe choices", "safe areas" and "safe people"
- It also takes away decision-making powers, the most important gift that a free citizen of this country, man or woman, wants to enjoy
- Even if I get hurt, or make wrong choices in life, those choices are mine. Not something the state, or my family, can decide for me
- At max, I dust myself, pick myself up, learn from a wrong choice, and then go on with life. But no one has the right to curb my choices in the name of protecting me.
- Before readers jump to conclusions, this is not an argument against increased police patrolling and more vigilance on unsafe roads, or the police dealing with womens’ safety issues with quickness.
- If I am being harassed or stalked, I will go to the police, register a case and get police protection. That protection may be faulty or inefficient, it is monitored protection by an official body (replicated the world over) and accountable to at least the courts. More importantly, I have asked for it. Again, my choice.
