Freedom of Expression is a contentious topic. Especially when it involves women. Albeit, they have every right to express, sans any fear and demanding not to be judged by us, the men.
Remember, ‘my body, my mind, my choice’ campaign where the so-called liberated women of Bollywood, including Deepika, advocated extramarital and free sex under the garb of freedom of expression yet expected people not to pass any verdict?
Of course, we understand that for a lot of people, freedom and liberation amounts to sleeping around, abusing and threatening their nation, eating or drinking what they please; from beef to weed, and wearing or not wearing anything — tattered jeans included.
But by the same logic why can’t Mr. Teerth Sign Rawat, CM, Uttarakhand, also practice his share of Freedom of Expression without being judged? As a CM of state, he is responsible for the safety of women, and in his social scheme of things tattered jeans could amount to some unwanted attention for the women. India is a vast country. What is socially right in Delhi-Mumbai could be frowned upon in Kolkata or even Chennai. So understanding the social context is imperative before branding CM, Uttarakhand as an MCP.
However, what astonishes me that even Jaya Bacchan finally found her tongue. Remember her stoic silence while her colleague Mulayam used public platform underplaying rape as a ‘mistake committed by boys’ and Azam Khan b]shamelessly commented commenting on the ‘saffron color of Jayaprada’s underwear’?
Why women did not stand up with Jayaprada when she was humiliated by Azam Khan?Of course, you can go out wearing a two-piece bikini, but then there is a thing called decency, culture, and social norms. I know, revolting against these has always been a fad. But when you revolt against the set parameters then it is you and only you responsible for the outcome too. I can’t drink and drive and expect the Government to ensure my safety.
Similarly, if a girl goes out at night, wearing skimpy clothes, drinks, and expects the government to ensure her safety, she is grossly mistaken. And since when torn clothes have become an icon of freedom or liberation?
Women who are liberated in the true sense, exuding power and epitomizing empowerment; Kalpana Chawla to Indira Nooyi, Angela Merkel to Saina Nehwal, never used tattered jeans as their medium of expression.
What kind of regressive argument is using torn jeans as an icon of empowerment? Liberation happens through work, talent, perseverance, sweat, and tears, not by flaunting torn jeans. By the way, if torn jeans was a true representation of empowerment, Sara Ali Khan would have been the most empowered woman.
You do have a right to brand me as an MCP or something even worst, but then in our culture torn clothes reflect poverty not fashion, weakness not strength.
But then it is your jeans and your body. If you really think ripping it apart and wearing it gives you some sense of achievement, please go ahead. From my side, start wearing torn top too.