Disparaging remarks by a prominent academic about Hindi female writers highlight the barriers faced by women
Writing about sex has often been problematic for women writers in India. Our literary world is currently stirred-up over the remarks of Vibhuti Narain Rai, the vice-chancellor of a prestigious university. In a recent interview, Rai stated that over the past few years Hindi women writers have vied to prove that each is a bigger "chinaal" than the other. chinaal is an Urdu word that may be translated to mean "adulterous woman" or "whore". Referring to a well-known woman writer's autobiography, Rai said the work should have been titled Kitne Bistaron Mein Kitni Baar ("How many times in how many beds"). In casual conversation, such comments might have been ignored but they were part of an interview in Naya Gyanoday, a literary monthly published by Bharatiya Jnanpith, an organisation that awards some of India's most important literary prizes.
Women writers in India have not had it easy. Freedom of expression has come, in dribbles, after long struggles. In many quarters, it still requires a great deal of gumption to write about the body, sex and sexuality. More than 200 writers have demanded the expulsion of both Rai and the editor of Naya Gyanoday. About 100 have boycotted Bharatiya Jnanpith and its awards. Both Rai and Bharatiya Jnanpith's director have been sent a criminal notice by a district court for intentionally defaming women writers. What this will lead to is uncertain but the incident throws up vital questions about women's freedom, education and power.
Full report here Guardian
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