How would you take and treat the latest ordinance on ‘love jihad’? It’s a feature taking leverage of the stakes of the ruling BJP at the Centre and state. It is giving charge to the political Hindu ideology to take form and size and control the hype and rhetoric around Hindutva. But how would it benefit our Muslim sisters and mother if we were to acknowledge and appreciate the merit of the Triple Talaq Law? Impacting and influencing the decision-making abilities and actions of women, for any community, when it comes to marriage is considered a personal choice.
How are we to decide or dictate the sanctity of marriage even if it is to maintain the sovereignty of the customary and conservative practices of the community and society? We interfere in the individual’s choices and claim to define traditions and rituals by our so-called laws and legislations. Well, in my opinion, these practices should come under the exclusive domain of the individual, as through mutual exchange of opinions and ideas, they can suit the best favourable to them.
But in the name of defending our civilisation or culture, states are increasingly taking the role of vigilante groups and thrusting upon us our acceptance of the ‘dutiful’ and the ‘rightful’. This vigilantism is forming the backbone of political privilege and propaganda as has been the case after the Narendra Modi government took charge in the summer of 2014.
I remember how Yogi Adityanath’s government organised anti-Romeo squads in the state in March 2017, ensuring the promotion of dignity and self-respect of the women in the state. But what explains the intention behind the organisation of such squads that led to the inflicting of unjustified humiliation and embarrassment in the public? Maybe, we do not know about the ruling BJPs faith in the idealism of Hindutva calling for such shots.