The practice of wearing a ghoonghat especially by the rural women of the country is something that has been followed since ages.
But Rajasthan’s Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot expressed his displeasure at the practice as it is custom of the bygone era and is a hindrance in empowering women.
He mentioned at the 20th- anniversary function of Ekal Nari Sangathan that this custom of wearing a ghoonghat should be eradicated as soon as possible.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot in Jaipur: Gaon mein aaj bhi ghoonghat hai, ek mahila ko ghoonghat mein qaid karne ka, ek samaj ko kya adhikaar hai? Jab tak ghoonghat rahega tab tak mahilayen aage nahi badh paengi, zamana gaya ghoonghat ka. pic.twitter.com/uLvCsnP0x4
— ANI (@ANI) November 5, 2019
Gehlot added,
Time has changed now but the practice of ‘ghoonghat’ is still there in villages. What is right in confining a woman to ‘ghoonghat’? Women cannot progress till the ‘ghoonghat’ exists. Women are empowered. They have the capacity to bring changes in society and their role is very crucial.
Netizens too appreciated the minister’s forward thinking.
I was born in Rajasthan and I could really relate to what Gehlot said about Ghoonghat. While no one forces a woman to cover her face, but if she doesn’t, she faces social stigma. Both men and women pass dirty comments. Even in relatively developed areas, it is same
— Sunil Sihag (@sunilsihag1024) November 5, 2019
Good to see Gahlot ji raising his voice against Ghoonghat. Today when we talk on equal rights for women, it is sad to see they wear veil under which they even don’t able to see clearly. I think it is not so easy to eradite this evil but atleast someone starts discussion.
— DeshBhakt YASHPAL YADAV (@yashpal17) November 5, 2019
Great going @ashokgehlot51. It is time we adress these regressive practices. But this has to come through education and social reform not just a law
— Kaustav Ray (@kaustavray) November 6, 2019
he said correct…in ancient statues and murals older than 10th century, indian women never covers their head with cloth….this custom came with foreign invaders…
— UttaraAyana (@ttrynttryn) November 6, 2019
Support this we don’t need gender equality but gender Neutrality.
— suman (@sumankhyd) November 5, 2019
Thank you sir ……. Respect…. 🙏🙏
— Summerhill (@ShivajiPRSG) November 5, 2019
Gehlot also mentioned that his government is quite serious about crime against women and therefore he has appointed a senior police officer at the district level to monitor the same.
Not just that, Gehlot also launched a book called ‘Badlav ki Misaal’- Ekal Mahilayen, which stressed on how single women are bringing a positive change in society.
