To allow or not to speak on role of women in protecting Indian culture: that's the question

By Rajiv Shah

On 16th November morning, on opening Facebook, I came across a post in Gujarati which said, "The controversial speaker Kajal Hindustani, infamous for her provocative speeches, is scheduled to deliver a lecture on 'The Role of Women in Protecting Indian Culture and Shaping the Future' at Gujarat University in Ahmedabad. Concerned citizens have expressed apprehensions about whether Kajalben will spread hate or incite discord, as per her previous record."

The lecture was to take place on November 16th at 12 noon.

Extensively quoting from the plea of the Gujarat unit the People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), to Ahmedabad City Police Commissioner GS Malik, with a copy to Gujarat DGP Vikas Sahay for "necessary action", and naming those who had organised the event, the post said, "It may be understandable if corporates like Adani sponsor such events, but for institutions like Gujarat University or Gujarat Sahitya Akademi to seek motivation from Kajal Hindustani brings to mind the words from Dhumketu’s story 'Vinipaat': "When things fall, everything falls!'”

I didn't know who Kajal Hindustani was, so sought PUCL help, and I was forwarded the PUCL plea, which, quoting media reports, said, the lady in question is also known as Kajal Shingala, who "has been on bail following an FIR lodged against her in connection with a speech delivered by her in an event organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad on the occasion of Ram Navami on March 30, 2023."

The PUCL continues, "This alleged hate speech allegedly caused a communal clash in Una on April 1, 2023. An FIR was filed against her, she was arrested for the said offence (particularly under Sections 153, 295A of IPC), and remanded to judicial custody. She was enlarged on bail on the 13th of April, 2023", adding, "It may also be noted that she had approached the Gujarat High Court thereafter to get this FIR quashed. The petition was withdrawn as the bench was not inclined to quash it, rather wanting the police to complete its investigation."

Continues the PUCL plea, "Another complaint was filed against her for a hate speech she allegedly delivered on the 4th of May, 2024, in Nanded, Maharashtra, where she allegedly used highly provocative language in serious accusations against the minorities. A complaint was filed against her by Citizens for Justice and Peace following this speech."

It provides three links her for Gujarat topcops' ready reference (click here, here, and here), pointing towards "the controversy that she created earlier", apprehending "law and order situation" might arise if she delivers a similar speech at the Gujarat University. Hence, it wants "the police force to take utmost precaution, video record her entire speech and intervene if required to stop her in case she makes any hateful utterances during the speech, to prevent any provocation and violence it could potentially trigger."

Warning that if the precaution is not taken, it will be viewed as contempt of a Supreme Court ruling, "and appropriate action will be taken against the erring officers", adding, "The police are expected to suo moto file FIRs whenever such hate speeches are delivered; this implies that the police needs to be vigilant and needs to monitor potential instances where hate speeches are likely to be delivered or when they are being delivered."

This made me contact one of the members of the organising team, whom I intimately know, and whom many consider quite objective. I forwarded the Facebook post, which is authored by Ramesh Savani, and this person immediately phoned me up, stating, "Everyone has the right to express one's viewpoint, including this Facebook post's author, who happens to be a former Gujarat police officer with controversial past, as also Kajal Hindustani."

As for the apprehension that her speech might create an atmosphere of hate, this person added, "I doubt very much. The topic she has been given to speak on is on Indian women in Indian culture and what role can they play in future to protect it. Already on bail, and police cases against her, she is unlikely to create any controversy. In any case, if she makes a hate speech, she stands to lose, not us."

I didn't go to the Gujarat University hall to listen to her (I was told it was going to be live on YouTube, but failed to find a link), yet the only thing that arose in my mind is: If she was given the platform, why shouldn't those who hold a different view, say a feminist (and there are quite a few in Gujarat), should also be allowed to speak on the subject?

Or maybe, perhaps someone -- a university professor, preferably a woman, or a cultural personality -- could be asked to interact with both, so that the audience could freely draw conclusion on how Indian culture sees Indian women and what their future is.

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