Love marriages banned in Indian village

[AnnieLobeseder]

More erosion of women's rights, this time in India.

But I guess with the huge erosion that's going on the US at the moment over the elections, it's hardly surprising that other parts of the world are following their lead.

I think the reported restrictions on women's movements and communications are far more worrying. They are a disgrace.

The US hasn't banned love marriages, so logically India can't be 'following their lead'.

That is absolutely ridiculous! I stayed not far from there for 6 months back when I was 18 as part of my gap year. I am really saddened that the work that was being done back then is being undone again now. There seemed to have been a big increase in the number of love marriages in the 90s but they're going backwards!

If it is the women who are not allowed out one can only assume it is they who are doing the harassing.

Oh, wait a minute .......

I didn't say that the US was banning love marriages, I said that the US is eroding women's rights.

The whole scenario is worrying, marriage is not the biggest concern, no. Any and every aspect of women losing their autonomy is equally horrifying.

This is not really news. In many villages in India, love marriage is not allowed by society not just law. Marriage is still seen in a completely different way than here and it's not good. most of the pressure comes from family and previous generations.

Societal rules about marriage in India is a big concern to those who are living there and have been educated to question it and take control of their own lives.

They have also ordered women to cover their heads when outside.
Village heads say the measures are a response to cases of harassment, but PTI reports police are investigating.

I see. So because men are harassing women (or that's their excuse) they restrict women.

Does it ever occur to these toe rags that it should be the harassers who should be restricted? Oh no, can't do that can we, that would affect men. Can't possibly inconvenience men can we?

Oh, give us break for God's sake.

The bit that got me, in this report, was this bit:

"Council leaders in Asara village have reportedly barred women under 40 from shopping alone..."

Also this bit:

"Baghpat district, which is where Asara village is located, is only about 40km (25 miles) from the Indian capital, Delhi."

So this isn't a place in the arse end of nowhere, it's right outside the capital. And it isn't just love marriages, although that takes the headline for some reason. The edicts about women having to cover up and not go out unaccompanied sounds taliban-esque, and that is really concerning.

Agree with annie re women's rights being eroded worldwide and the fact that the western ideal that is the US is in places fucking women over royally isn't going to help. A big fat signal that the most interventionist country in the world won't really mind, actually, what you do to the women where you are. So get on with it.

SardineQueen has most eloquently expressed the point I was trying to make about the US.

But Annie was saying that the Indian village was 'following their lead' which is rather different from saying that the 'most interventionist country in the world won't really mind'.

We get it, you disagree with Annie. Any other thoughts?

It's their country. Academic feminists should be interested in the idea of cultural colonialism and extending judgement beyond one's own borders. Making those kind of judgements inside geographic borders is often considered too judgemental and even racist, so there's a profound intellectual difficulty extending that negative judgement beyond them. I agree with all of your judgements on this but I see a colonial difficulty.

Yeah but the "cultural" excuse is always used by people who don't want to make that stand that yes, women's rights are human rights.

Not sure why you describe it as an excuse. Would you force a change? What right do you have to do that? And would you be equally as forceful in this country? There's plenty of work on that front to be done in the UK.

Are you familiar with feminism? It doesn't think women's rights are actually optional. Sorry to be snarky but of course I would want the same rights for women in this country!

Oh - I don't have the right to change this? Shit, my delusions of grandeur must have been sticking out again.

There are many rights which are abused across the world. Children's rights, for example. And yet there are many problems with forcing less developed countries to adopt "western values" when it comes to children's rights. I agree with all those who have expressed distaste and dislike of what is happening. I'm geniunely interested in whether or not anyone feels it's appropriate to go beyond judging it to be wrong.

Yes you are being snarky, I'm off. Could have been interesting.

Culture is a massive issue... Not an excuse. Education with regards to wons rights needs to be culturally sensitive.

No need to be rude and dismissive elephants, this is an open discussion.

You can't change hundreds of years of inequality with that attitude. In fact you can't change anything by alienating the people who need to make the change.

Sorry accuracy but if you ask a silly question about "what right I have to change this" (er obviously none) you can expect a silly answer.

It's not about having the right to change things... Are you actually going to do anything appropriate to change things? Beyond education and awareness there's not much that can be done outside of the society.

Yes and yes to both my own country and India in regards to the career I'm training in.