On Day 3 of literature fest, gender equality, feminism stay on agenda

Sameer Singh

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, December 27

Advocating feminism and gender equality, artistes, student leader and activists dwelt upon various facets of literature on woman and her portrayal in television serials and movies during a panel discussion on the third of the ongoing Peoples’ Literary Festival here at Teachers’ Home on Friday.

Almost all panelists showed consensus on one thing that feminism could never be understood or be seen by dissociating it from other pertinent concerns of the time. The panel discussion was based on women-centric issues.

The panelists also expressed concern over the use of religion and culture as tools to snub women. They also aired worries over absence of women-centric issues in films or shows.

Gurpreet Bhangu, renowned Punjabi film actor, Kanupriya, former president of the Panjab University Campus Students’ Council (PUCSC), Dr Kuldeep Kaur from Modi College, Dr Neetu Arora and Davi Davinder, a journalist, participated in the panel discussion.

Bhangu said: “Genuine artistes are getting distanced from the film industry as they have not been getting ample opportunities owing to nepotism in the industry. It is vital that movie subjects touch upon women-centric issues. Indeed there are good directors, filmmakers or storytellers who want to showcase good quality parallel cinema apart from the commercial or edgy cinema but their number is few. The most important factor is that not many investors or producers are willing to invest in parallel cinema.”

“Not many women attend such seminars or discussions. There are quite a few. So, it is a collective responsibility of both men and women to make sure they participate in seminars. While voices have already been raised on the issue of domestic violence against women but how many of us have ever talked about mental violence,” added Bhangu.

Kanupriya said: “The subservient attitude has been nurtured and conditioned by power structures and it has been designed in such a way that nobody can raise voice against those power structures or the influential lot. And feminism is a fight to break that power structure.”

“While the mainstream political parties contest elections to gain power, women and Dalits have to fight for their own rights,” she added. On being asked by one of the participants as to how crucial a role can be played by females in power, Davi Davinder said: “The pertinent issues have never been raised by women in powerful positions. They did not venture beyond their political and vested interests. In journalism, there was a myth that women do not have an understanding of politics but of late many women have broken this myth.”

On question being about the actual definition of feminism by a student, Dr Kuldeep Kaur said: “It traces its roots to the imperialistic world order. All we need to do for feminism is to follow humanism as the imperialist society thrives on exploitation.”

In the second session of the day, winner of quiz competition were felicitated. Later, a Punjabi film ‘Dushman’ was screened. The film is directed by renowned Punjabi film director Rajveev Kumar. Varinder Sharma, presented a slideshow presentation on organic heritage.

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