Changing Patriarchy: Guptaji and daughters

“Be the change you want to see in the world.”

After years of struggle, women have been able to achieve some status of equality with men. There are still people who believe in male-dominated, patriarchy-run society where heirs to family can only be the children who have “penis” as genitals. This flawed system results in denying of property rights. Be it a common man or be it Anil Kapoor as Mr. Mehra, denying a right to family business by choosing his disinterested son rather than his talented daughter, is a victim of patriarchal notions that “Is ghar ko vansh tabhi milega, jab ladka hoga.”

And I don’t see many older people or any person, generally, who comes forward to bring a change. But, I am proud- a dad from Punjab- my hometown- is being hailed for breaking the stereotype notion that boys should run businesses. “XYZ and sons” have become dominating and everyday signboards. And now a signboard with the name of a father and his daughter has gone viral on the internet.

A twitter user- Dr. Aman Kashyap- a medical practitioner- has shared the local chemist’s signboard and then twitter went impressed. There are a number of tweets applauding this man’s efforts for a social change. This might look small, but this is actually a bigger step towards changing the society. When he has done it, you can too. “Sirf ladke nahi, ladkian bhi waaris ho sakti hai.”

I am personally proud because this step has been taken by a man from my hometown- Ludhiana, Punjab. Netizens are drooling over to take it to national recognition for being the true example of “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao.” And this deserves applause. 

Why is this a big deal?

Indian parents often prefer male children, and as mentioned, despite various campaigns and protests, the fondness remains strong. They always equate sons to investment and daughters to liability and this is how gender discrimation arises. Reportedly, women get less opportunities for work and if seen in villages, many of them are married before they turn 18. The concern is about how this would change?

And Guptaji is being the hero of the change. This is a teaser to a big change that will come through this step. There will be criticism but the number of well wishers will be more and that is how and why, twitter is calling it a “welcome change.”