Role Reversal

In an alternate reality,where men are taught to be vulnerable from the time they are born, where they are considered the weaker sex –

Rahul was sitting in a pub with his friend drinking beer. He was conscious of a gang of girls constantly eyeing him. His first thought was that he should not have worn that tight T-shirt showing his muscular arms and chest. He got up to leave. It was almost 12 and his father was calling him constantly to make sure he was all right. He said goodbye to his friend and moved towards his car. All of a sudden, another car screeched to a halt in front of him. The girls who have been eyeing him all night leapt out of the car and dragged him inside. He cried for help but no one bothered. His friend who saw all that happen called the police. The reply he got was – He is not raped yet.

The girls kept slapping and punching him, passed lewd comments and tore off his clothes. He pleaded but they laughed. Then one of them squeezed his balls. Before he fainted, he saw a steel rod in the hand of one of the girls.

The shame tore him apart. He felt dirty all over. His family blamed him. Why was he wearing such provocative clothes? It was his fault. Media and general public pounced on him. Why was he there in the pub at such a late hour? Why was he dressed that way? He asked for it, they said.

*

There has been an alarming rise in male feticide in the country. The Prime Minister has strictly asked the state governments to take action against this menace. Even after so many campaigns, the government is not able to save millions of boys who have been killed ever since we have gained independence. The practice is more prevalent in cities. The general consensus is that boys are a burden to the family. This is decreasing the male population at an alarming rate.

“It’s a female dominated society. It will take a long time to change the mindset of women.” A male minister said on account of anonymity.

*

Sitara Devi have had enough. She asked her daughter to immediately stop the education of her four sons. She was the Sarpanch of the village and things were getting out of hand ever since they have started educating the boys.

“What good education will do for them? Eventually, each one of them will get married and leave for his wife’s house. He will make food for his in-laws and help his wife to conceive. Instead of studying, they should start earning to help with their dowry.” Sitara Devi said.

“I will never forgive my husband for making me give birth to these four monsters. Has he no control over his Y chromosome? He already gets a good beating everyday from my mother for burdening us. Who will arrange for the entire dowry? All he does is sit at home and cook.” Sitara Devi’s daughter said.

Sitara Devi dotes on her grand-daughter Tara.

“Tara will become a doctor one day and carry my family tree forward,” she said.

*

There has been an alarming rise in male molestation cases throughout the country. Males fear to venture out in the dark and it is not considered safe to go out alone. The law and order situation has been questioned numerous times by the Male Rights organizations in the last few months.

“We are subjected to acute animalism in all the spheres of life. I cannot travel peacefully in a bus. There are always females staring at me or touching me here and there. Why can’t I live with the dignity which is the right of every citizen of this country? Why am I treated as an object?” A crying Tinku (name changed) said who has been a victim of numerous molestations as he travels to his college in a local bus frequented by lady goons.

“We cannot take this anymore. We will raise our voice against these inhuman acts. This matriarchal society is killing the coming generation of men, not only physically (by raping and burning men for dowry) but also emotionally (by molesting and making unwanted rules for them).” Mr. Albert, who is a prominent male right activist, said.

*

In a bizarre incident in Delhi Metro yesterday, a man was slapped by a woman because he was travelling in a general coach instead of the men’s only coach.

“A female was leaning on him and ogling at his assets. When he objected, she asked him to leave and sit in men’s coach. When he tried to raise his voice, he was slapped and thrown on the ground.” An eye-witness said.

“Why can’t men travel in their coach? Why do they come in general coach and take our seats?” A female passenger said who later added that the male population was anyways less, so one coach was enough for them.

*

Sunil was not very happy. He had not bargained for this. Since he was born, he was told by his father that a man should always keep his wife and her parents happy and getting married and bringing up a child was the only goal of a man. He was pampered in his home, although his mother was not very keen on giving him so much freedom. After all he was a boy –  Paraya Dhan.  When Sunil got married and went to his wife’s house, he was in for a shock. His mother-in-law made it very clear to him that in addition to his job, he had to do all the household work and food should be on the table by 9 pm. He was not allowed to wear jeans or shorts. He could only wear traditional Indian clothes like Kurta Pyjama and Dhoti Kurta. He tried to talk to his wife but she told him that her mother’s decision is final. He felt suffocated.

*

Sounds strange? What if this alternate reality becomes the reality? Will the men be able to survive it? I will choke to death if I had to lead such a life. Will we not cry for equality, for respect? I will. And if we will, then why is it so difficult to change our sickening, unbearable, medieval reality?

If men cannot bear the thought of living such a life, then who gave us the right to inflict it?