Rega Jha, the Former Editor-in-chief of Buzzfeed India, recently drew flak for tweeting about the importance of having a feminist brother instead of tying Rakhi. Many people tweeted that from being a foreign agent to maligning Hindu culture, how Jha hates the Indian culture. AIB also drew flak for sharing a post highlighting that Raksha Bandhan is a festival which propagates patriarchy.
rakhi is nice and all but have you tried having a feminist brother who just loves you because that’s what siblings do and not because of some protective possessive machismo bullshit
— Rega Jha (@RegaJha) August 26, 2018
The Indian society has thrived on a culture where men enjoyed a special sense of power and privilege. Though things have changed a lot in the recent past, we still have a long way to go when it comes to accepting and respecting women for their choices. Raksha Bandhan has been cleverly packaged as a display of sibling love and endearing rivalry, but it is rooted in the flawed concept that a girl still needs protection. Which is, of course, her brother’s responsibility. In places like Haryana, it can go to the extreme extent of honour killing, where preserving a girl’s honour is more important than her life.
Oh damn. So vogue. So feminist. NOT.
1. Rakhi is much more than that and clearly beyond you & your shitty buzzfeed comprehension.
2. Throwing out english words with no base doesn’t really help except you feel the need to do that to seem intelligent. Again issues u need to check.— Maya (@Sharanyashettyy) August 26, 2018
For many people, Raksha Bandhan is a festival of exchanging gifts for tying a knot, but for many others, it is a more serious ritual. Many living in their comfort zone in the cities away from restrictions will argue that it’s about caring for and loving each other, and doesn’t encourage male members to put restrictions on the choices and freedom of women.
Men taking an oath to protect their sister from other men is quite problematic. This actually deepens the problem of violence against women. Her honour gets equated to that of the family’s which needs to safeguarded at any cost. Because ‘men will be men’.
I have seen that every time there is a criticism against traditional Indian practices, some immediately start arguing how our culture is the greatest and being too westernised will not do us any good. Such levels of ego and ignorance keep them from being welcoming or empathic about the problems of others.
rakhi is nice and all but have you tried having a feminist brother who just loves you because that’s what siblings do and not because of some protective possessive machismo bullshit
— Rega Jha (@RegaJha) August 26, 2018
This is the 21st century and Indian women are strong and independent who don’t need brothers to protect them. As culture is something which evolves over the period of time, the move towards a more empowering and supportive relationship between a brother and sister is bound to face some resistance. If people understood the importance of Rakhi, there wouldn’t have been instances of women being sexually abused by their own family members.
Not every argument is meant to malign Hindu traditions. I think we should contemplate more before we express our opinions on such matters.