The Black Misogyny

The final protest brewed up when a woman journalist with her children was forcefully made to alight from the KSRTC Padma bus which carries passengers to the Sabarimala bus transit. The bus driver and conductor were worried that the presence of a menstruating woman would disturb the sanctity of the place. This event triggered the 'Catch the Pampa Movement' where woman activists rushed to board the KSRTC bus of that route. They believed it was 'body politics' of the worst order aimed to alienate woman from the public sphere.

And ever after the historic September judgement of the Supreme Court allowing women of all age entry inside the temple, very little have changed. From October 17-22, the first time temple opened after judgement, the 'devotees' erupted in protest and took law in their hands. Though the state government had assured of full police protection to any woman devotee not a single woman from the age group of 10-50 could enter the temple premise. All women were interrogated and the Ayyappa Dharma Sena and other Senas blocked all route to the hill temple. More than ten women assembled to enter the temple were physically intimidated and turned out by the protestors in the very first day.

Meet the resistance - the institutions of patriarchy in the state -political parties, religious institutions and companies- are unwilling to recede any space to the women. Nevertheless, progress has been achieved, the word 'menstruation' is being debated in public and has lost much of its taboo following the women right movements-: 'Red Alert: You have got a napkin', 'Ride the Pampa Bus' and #MeToo.

Nuns protesting against police inaction, Bishop of Jalandhar

Before the Sabarimala issue captured the front pages the dominant news hogging media circles in Kerala were - the rape of a Catholic nun and the matters related to Women in Cinema Collective. For the first time in the history of Christianity in India, five nuns came out in their garb to protest against police inaction following a rape complaint against the bishop of Jalandhar-Franco Mulakkal. There was huge media pressure but still, no political party stood by the agitating nuns. Though woman politicians came in the protest venue they came in their personal capacity, not as a representative of their political party.

Interestingly women are used to combatting women. After the Sabarimala judgement women, protestors were mobilised by Ayyappa Dharma Sena and BJP's Mahila Morcha. As for the nun's case, the mother general of the Missionaries of Jesus spoke against the rape victim and also disclosed her identity before the media.

WCC poster supporting the Rape victim

The prominent figures accused in rape cases find support from both men and women. Actor Dileep who was accused of abduction and rape of a fellow actress got bail and was reinstated at the Malayalam Movie Artistes even though the actress had to resign due to lack of support. When the Women in Cinema Collective - formed to support the rape victim - questioned AMMA's action, veteran actress KCAP Lalitha was used to negate their claims. The WCC finally had to move to the courts to ensure that a complaints committee was formed at every film location and the government also decided to act.As#MeToo ranges throughout the world making women find their voice against the tyranny if their bosses, the women in Kerala are silently broadening their own Lakshman Rekha.

~ Arkyadeep Dutta

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