‘I don’t need permission to laugh’
THE FIERY MP AND CONGRESS PARTY LEADER SAYS WOMEN’S SURVIVAL IS THREATENED IN INDIAN PARLIAMENT
Renuka, the fiery MP and Congress Party leader, says women’s survival is threatened in parliament |
C ongress party leader Renuka Chowdhury is overwhelmed by the support women have shown her on social media. The fiery Rajya Sabha member hit the headlines recently, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi reacted to Chowdhury’s laughter during his speech in Rajya Sabha with the remark that he had not heard such laughter since the days of Indian epic Ramayan onTV.
Thereafter, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju posted the image of demoness Surpanakha on social media. It became a topic for national debate.
An unconventional woman and politician, Chowdhury speaks to Gulf News:
Incidents of rapes keep happening in India regularly. What steps can women parliamentarians take to ensure the safety of women and children?
It’s the collective responsibility of governments, people in position and the men in society to ensure we have an atmosphere of safety. Our work spaces are driven with masculinity and men believe that women must change their norms and work according to men’s standards and yardsticks. What we women can do is try sensitising men and teach our sons to respect women.
Why don’t women parliamentarians stand collectively and say ‘enough is enough’ and seek ‘capital punishment’ for rapists?
We have a pathetic percentage of women parliamentarians even after 70 years of Independence. We are not in a majority to take on a bill. Our own survival is so threatened in Parliament unless we reach the critical marks whereby we can actually dictate terms. India benefited because we had such fantastic Constitutional framework. We are one of the first countries that actually gave franchise to women and they were allowed to vote right from Independence. But we can’t do anything by leaving men out.
The strength of women MPs in the current Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha is less than 12 per cent. Why are they not focusing on the issue of Women’s Reservation Bill?
It’s not for the women to do it, but the government that has a brute majority. Now what is holding this government back? Congress had a problem, as ours was a coalition government. But even then we passed the bill in Rajya Sabha. Now there’s a misogynistic group of people and look how they talk and behave with women.
Your laughter during Prime Minister’s speech did not go well with the people, not did Kiren Rijiju’s post mocking you later. You think the issue could have been averted?
If the words were not uttered, there wouldn’t have been an issue. There was a lie — an absurd story being told, so I laughed. I’m not a schoolgirl and don’t need anyone’s permission to laugh. There is no tax on laughter. And he [Modi] is not the first prime minister India has laughed at.
The issue has triggered a gender debate and young women are forming ‘Shrupnakha clubs’ and using the acronym LLRC (Laugh Like Renuka Chowdhury) instead of LOL.
I was stunned when I saw all that. This is not about me, but about generation of women in our country who have come of age. Education and communication have improved tremendously and women have gone far ahead. Unfortunately, the governments and societies have not woken up to that. So, I was just a catalyst. But men better realise that even if a prime minister talks derogatorily [against women], it will not be accepted.
Rahul Gandhi has been accused by the BJP of ‘temple hopping’ ahead of state elections to appease Hindu voters. Has the Congress deviated from its stance of secularism to ‘soft Hindutva’?
We are Hindus and being a Hindu does not remove us from being secular. As a Hindu, it’s my personal matter if I wish to visit a temple. It doesn’t endorse or remove my Hinduism. If the BJP is worried about Rahul visiting temples, then it is their insecurity about how much he is achieving.
Your Rajya Sabha term expires in April. What plans?
Let’s see. I have a great sense of adventure. My destiny has always led me up those paths. I have never planned things. Never planned joining politics and never planned to laugh in Parliament. So, I’m ready for anything that comes my way.
Our workspaces are driven with masculinity and men believe that women must change their norms and work according to men’s standards and yardsticks.”
Education and communication have improved tremendously and women have gone far ahead. … So, I was just a catalyst. But men better realise that even if a prime minister talks derogatorily [against women], it will not be accepted. Renuka Chowdhury | Rajya Sabha member