IS INDIAN CULTURE PROGRESSING OR GOING A STEP BACK?

 With the world progressing with new rules and regulations, giving liberty to women to live and work independently, there is a section of people who are always ready to pull down the progressive society. Same-sex marriage has been the debate for ages, where countries like Australia, Canada, Argentina and so on have legally performed and recognized same-sex marriage, where India is still not allowing this progressive step.

Recently the Union Government told the Delhi High Court that decriminalizing homosexuality has nothing to do with same-sex marriage and a valid marriage can only take place between a biological man and a biological woman. So, what exactly is the true meaning of ‘Homosexual”!!!

Well, Google itself says that Homosexuality is a romantic attraction, sexual attraction or sexual behaviour between members of the same sex or gender. Seems like the definition changes with the country. Seems like Central Government’s conservative and narrow-minded approach lack logic itself. This approach shows that the government would rather focus on protecting the purported customs and traditions of India than provide basic matrimonial rights to its citizens.

 

So, talking about the rights, a person has the legal and exclusive right to marry a partner of their choice. But seems like the Central Government purposely wants to stand in the way of the judiciary and the interests of its citizens. Earlier, the government has submitted in court that living together as partners and having a sexual relationship by same-sex individuals is not comparable with the Indian family unit concept of a husband, a wife and children which necessarily assume a biological man as a ‘husband’, a biological woman as a ‘wife’ and the children born out of the union between the two”.

The decision shows that it is so evident that the Central Government would rather violate valid matrimonial rights of individuals duly documented by the apex court than allow people to practice their freedom of choice and fundamental right of privacy.

Not only that, for the past couple of years, even there is not been liberty in the creative section. Brands come with a unique concept of Ads for their publicity and to take a step forward to show that how progressive our country can be, but then some section of people seems like are born to just get offended and start a petition in the name of culture.

After Tanishq, FabIndia and Manyavar, Dabur is the latest company which was heavily trolled and criticized for its 1.06-minute advertisement which showed two women getting ready for ‘Karwa Chauth’- a traditional ritual where usually a woman is expected to have a daylong fast for her husband and break the fast after viewing the moon at night.

And after the Ad was released, netizens and some political leaders started coitizing it and stated that the Ad is mocking the Hindu religion and Hindu festivals.  Even the ad tagline “Glow with Pride” also did not go well with many Twitter users, with users demanding a boycott on Dabur products.

 

 

With such criticism, the company issued an apology and said that it “strives for diversity, inclusion, and equality” and added that the intention was “not to offend any beliefs, customs and traditions, religious or otherwise”.

Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra said that he has directed the state police chief to convey to Dabur India to withdraw the “objectionable” beauty product advertisement, and ordered them to take legal steps if the ad is not taken back. He says “I consider this a serious matter. More so because such advertisements and clippings are made on the rituals of Hindu festivals only. They (the advertisement) showed lesbians celebrating Karva Chauth and seeing each other through a sieve. In future, they will show two men taking ‘feras’ (marrying each other according to Hindu rituals). This is objectionable.”

Well, seems like the Minister’s statement itself is objectionable. This festival is observed by married women for the safety and longevity of their husbands. So, what difference it will make if we observe this festival for our loved ones irrespective of their gender or sex.

We often think that gone are those days where women were treated as an object where the sole purpose was to sit at home and take care of family- well that scenario has been changed as we see women coming out, choosing their way and also getting their independence. But what about choosing our life partner and celebrating the festival for our loved ones?

It’s a question that we need to ask …………