Valentine’s Day Special - Pink chaddis and the moral policing

Valentine’s Day is celebrated as the day for the lovers. But in recent years this beautiful day has been turned to a commercial practice and now it has turned to celebration of hooliganism and moral policing in the name of "culture”. Every year it is becoming awkward to let arise the adverse policies of the cultural guardians whose main purpose in life and politics is to impose their peculiarly narrow mindedness on people. This is actually what was seen after the recent attacks in Mangalore. 

The self-appointed guardians of Indian culture and of the morality of women claim themselves to be the particulars of moral policing. But the truth is that without these so called guardians the Indian culture and Indian Women will have opportunity to progress. Along with the narrow mindedness, lack of proper education, conservative mindsets and moreover the indulgence of political motives make these certain abstract intellects create all fuss. Who will make them realise their mistakes?  

This Valentine’s Day celebrators are on high spirits and it is meant to leave Pramod Mutalik the chief of the Shri Ram Sena and his ilk red-faced, a campaign is being led to gift him cartons loaded with pink chaddis, revenge of the urban woman, ‘pink undergarment’ as her symbol of annoyance. The Pub attack has led to a great controversy. Women were assaulted saying their mere presence was against the women culture and should not have happened. 

Nobody has the right to interfere in one’s liberty. It is ones own wish what they want to do. And on the Valentine’s Day itself, Muthalik said that if dating couples are seen they would be forced to tie the knot. This statement highly enraged the people. With much anger and thrust the ‘Pink Chaddi Campaign’ was kicked off on February 5 to protest the Sena’s warning against celebrating Valentine’s Day and the attacks on women in Mangalore. Though it started off in the e-world among members of a social networking group Facebook, it took a life of its own and is out on the streets. People have signed up to drop chaddis at collection points in their cities, which will be sent to Bangalore. Those who have signed up also plan to go to pubs with their partners or friends on V-Day. Most of the members don’t drink and some haven’t ever visited a pub, but the spirit is to band together against moral policing and curbs on women’s freedom.

Attack on freedom is a height of extremism. This cannot be termed as to safeguarding and guarding of people’s culture and traditions by snatching away their rights and freedom. Every human being is free to live his life according to their wish regardless they do not violate the constitutional laws. 

A question arises…Who decides what is Indian culture? Culture does not only mean the rights and duties towards a particular religion. Culture also means day-to-day activities. Attacks in the name of culture have become very disturbing. Very often we find remarks being made on holding hands in public or showing any such affection in public places. This should bother none. People are free, they can do anything they like. Why go after unnecessary things. There are lot more other things like poverty, cleanliness, unemployment etc. in this country that needs foremost attention. Therefore these unruly exploitations should be barred and instead initiatives should be taken to look for the matters which require attention to really make this country culturally beautiful.