The latest trend in Delhi is taking up gender issues and trivialising their significance. Sometimes hesitant, while outrightly brash on other occasions, this ambiguous take on gender issues has led to what we call, ‘Sexism’, becoming extremely prevalent in Delhi.
FOR MEN
Delhi Metro Harassment: Take a simple everyday scenario: A man enters the ladies compartment by mistake. The mighty ladies will not tolerate a moment’s delay in throwing the poor guy out of the compartment, if not the metro. Reverse the situation and a woman in the general compartment will fight with a man to take the seat. Well, the point intended to be made is self- explanatory here.
Man = Rapist:In the wake of Nirbhaya and other brutal rape cases in Delhi, the city has earned itself the title of “The Rape Capital of India”. This has reflected on every man in Delhi, even the good-hearted samaritans who wouldn’t bat an eyelid before helping a woman in distress.
Homophobia: Despite our Queer Pride Parades and protests against criminalising Article 377, we are still a homophobic city that fears those men who are not straight. We hold the same sentiment in the case of gay women too, but our feelings against gay men are stronger because they carry a heavier baggage of being the representative of the “Patriarch”.
Happy gay couple on the beach
FOR WOMEN
MNC Employee = Loose Character: “Oh, so, you work at a call centre.” – This is the first conclusion that’s drawn when you tell your landlord that you are a MNC employee. Nod your head in agreement to that ‘accusation’ and you’ve lost the apartment. The reason is simple: It is a clichéd concept in Delhi that if you work at a call centre, you are a woman with loose character who leads a hippie lifestyle.
Late Night Paranoia: No matter what’s keeping you out late- work, play or an emergency- it’s simply not acceptable. Why? Because if you are out of your house at night, then you are at a greater risk of getting into trouble. And, God forbid, if you actually manage to get into trouble, then it will surely be deemed as your fault. It doesn’t just end there. Apparently, girls of marriageable age are supposed to be indoors at night because if you are spotted letting your hair down after hours, it could come in the way of you getting a good ‘rishta’.
Protest = Feminist: Feminism is such a cool word to use these days in Delhi that it is used everywhere, every time and by everyone. But do we even understand what feminism is all about? Sadly, most people don’t. For starters, calling the fight against inequality as anti-men is absolutely against the spirit of feminism. So, before labelling a bunch of women protesting against something as ‘feminists’, please find out their cause.
To conclude, the point to be made is that the categories of man and woman are what our world functions upon. It is no doubt necessary to have both in our society. However, this doesn’t entail us any right to stereotype each into a muddled set of archetypes.
