Like What Exactly Are We Doing On Raksha Bandhan?

Raksha Bandhan, or simply Rakhi is a Hindu festival, celebrated in many parts of India. Raksha Bandhan means “bond of protection”. It is observed on the full moon day of the Hindu Luni-solar calendar month of Shravana, which typically falls in the Gregorian calendar month of August. Well, this is as far as Wikipedia’s version of Rakhi goes. However, Rakhi unlike any other Hindu festival for Indians is an emotional celebration. It is a day when a brother and a sister honour and celebrate their affection towards each other. No matter how far away they stay, the day of Raksha Bandhan is the day of reckoning of their relationship and all their memories.

There are so many back stories as to why we celebrate Rakha Bandhan and how greater wars were fought and how many lives were saved because of rakhis. There is the Indra Dev’s version, there’s Krishna and Draupadi’s story and so on. At the end of the day, all these stories result in telling us only one thing. The significance of Raksha Bandhan. On this auspicious day, the brother vows to protect and take care of his sister under all circumstances.

Me, My Sister, And Our Festival – Is That It?

I think India doesn’t even takes its ritual seriously. As it were, Indian women are the most sexually harassed women around the world and the numbers are staggering. Are these assaults performed by other women? Cause, our men have the Rakhis tied up their hands. Why will they harass anyone right?  They’ve vowed to protect their sisters, isn’t it? So the question is, who exactly is harassing our women?

Wait a second. Oh, now I get it. The Indian men vow to protect their “own sisters”. And that’s about it. “Baaki saare ladkiya jaye bhad mein”. I have proof for that too. 63% sexual harassment cases occur in public places you see. But then, what do other men do? Of course, while these things occur they watch. But hey, why would they bother to protect you? You haven’t tied Rakhi to them. So, The only way to be safe in this country is by going and tying Rakhi to every man in this country! The Following feature by Maanvi Gagroo particularly drives home the point.

 The Numbers To Be Considered This Raksha Bhandan

The statistics don’t stop there. 70 % of working women get sexually harassed in India at least once a year, and we are sitting here debating about equal pay and period leaves.  “Arre chain se kaam tho karne do equal pay aake Kya fayda..!”. I’m not talking about the men who commit the crime cause those bastards are not even humans. They probably wouldn’t change even after reading this article. I’m talking about the ones who notice the crimes and still don’t voice it thinking why me anyone else can do that. And more so in work environment, as depicted here.

“Kal ko aapke behen ko kisine kuch keh diya toh society ko mat kosna ki wo chup thi kyunki aap bhi chup hi the!”

If we see any horrendous thing happening in front of us and we question it right then and there would he have the guts to commit that crime again.

“Kisko Pata aaj ek ladki ke saath hua kal apke jaan pehchan ke ladki ke saath ho saktha hai”.

Not voicing out is more a crime than committing it.

 This Raksha Bhandan Don’t Just Make A Vow. Act On It.

For God’s sake we, who are not even hesitating to kill people who eat beef, why aren’t we even punishing those who are harassing our women? We consider our women to be goddesses, isn’t it? “No” we don’t deserve to be tied Rakhi unless we don’t solemnly pledge a vow to voice out wherever and whenever we see any women being exploited or harassed. Because at the end of the day India is my country. All Indians are my brother’s and sisters. We might’ve purposefully spelt it wrong in our school times, but let’s get it right this once. Because she might not be your sister but she is someone’s sister and no sister should go through anything derogatory. Ever.

PS: I hope you excuse me for using Hindi in between some lines are better said in Hindi than in English. Happy Raksha Bandhan.