Saying ‘no’ is right for women: Expert

NAGPUR: A thought-provoking symposium on ‘No Mhanje Nahich’, a theme based on Hindi movie ‘Pink’, was organized as part of Dnyanyoddha lecture series organized by Dr Hedgewar Vyaspeeth at Dharampeth Mulanchi Shala on Saturday.
Yamini Choudhari, a social worker, said that “Women feel that they are nothing without their husband. In the movie, there is a dialogue which says that ‘three women live alone in that flat’.But the reality is that women can live alone and even say ‘no’ to any misdemeanour,” she said, supporting the theme.
Smita Singalkar, an advocate, said that “The audience of the movie takes the situation differently. The actions that girls do are considered as sheer mistake while what the boys do is widely accepted as a standard of living. If you try to know the history of a rapist, you will find that initially he starts by molesting and teasing women. When he realizes that the woman was keeping quiet, he does not hesitate to rape her,” she said. The role of saying ‘no’ is very important, she added.
Jyotsna Pandit, who lectures on gender equality, said that “Everyone is concerned about character, be it a man or a woman. Yes, we as women are progressing with liberating thoughts like ‘No Mhanje Nahich’, but we should also understand that a man will never ask for security. So, if a woman wishes to drink and party she should be liable for her own actions and security,” she added.
Avinash Mohril, principal of Mahila Mahavidyala, Amravati, said that “I have a utopian vision where women will be as free-willed as men. If a man is a drinking alcohol, we say that his liver will suffer. But if a woman does the same, we question her character,” he said. “When one of the characters in ‘Pink’ is questioned about her virginity, she replies timidly, looking at the judgemental eyes. Why cannot we accept that she is a human being first and it is only human to have sexual relations,” he asked.