At present, Navratri is being celebrated across India, honouring Goddess Durga and Shakti, the divine feminine energy. The nine forms of the Goddess are worshipped with devotion, and we bow our heads in prayer. Our culture teaches us to respect women, who symbolise Shakti, or strength. However, the present scenario raises serious questions about how women are treated in our country. During protests against the Election Commission of India (ECI) over alleged 'vote chori' and the deletion of voters’ names from electoral rolls, young men and women associated with CJP have come forward to fight for their constitutional rights. I feel proud of this Gen Z generation, which has the courage and conviction to stand up for democracy. Yet, reports of women protesters being manhandled, brutally beaten and molested by police are deeply disturbing. Is this how women deserve to be treated in a country that worships the divine feminine? Is this what we truly mean by ‘Nari Samman’?
ANITA FERNANDES, Verna
