DOCUMENTS of the successive CPI(M) congresses have been dealing with
various forms of women’s oppression, asking the party cadres to take up
these issues from their respective platforms. It is true that bourgeois
parties occasionally intervene in such issues, but they do so with an
eye on votes. But the party programme, which is the basic document of
the party, clearly explains the link between gender issues and the
building of a People’s Democratic Front. Struggle against social
oppression, of which women’s oppression is a component, is an important
dimension of the class struggle. The Tamilnadu state committee of the
CPI(M) has been striving to implement this understanding to the extent
possible. It, for instance, organised regional conventions against
female foeticide in Salem and against dowry in Coimbatore. On June 20,
the party organised a conference in Nagarcoil to raise its voice
against the dowry menace. (See People’s Democracy, June 27 issue.)
Earlier, a survey was done among a cross-section of the young men and
women and among the parents who have married off their boy or girl
within the last five years. This was done among 526 persons in
Kanyakumari, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli and Virudhunagar districts.
The survey results, presented by Balasubramaniam, secretary of the
CPI(M)’s Virudhunagar district committee, clearly brought out clear
that dowry exists in all castes and income groups. Education has not
eradicated this evil. Rather it has aggravated it. A lecturer in
Tirunelveli said that he took dowry for his marriage and he was willing
to give it during his daughter’s wedding since he believes that it is
part of Indian culture(!). A few youngsters said they needed it since
they have to feed their brides for the whole life. This trivialises the
value of women and assumes that they are only a liability. When asked
about ostentatious marriages, quite a few said that they are for it
since it has to be a reflection of their economic status and that they
are not bothered about the impact it creates at a larger level. This
indicates that the social impact of globalisation is no less dangerous
than its economic impact!
Subhashini Ali, member of the CPI(M) Central Committee, while
inaugurating the convention, dealt with different dimensions of dowry.
She warned that we often see only the big picture --- feudalism,
capitalism, imperialism --- but fail to see the smaller picture which
is caste, dowry, foeticide, price rise or the linkage between them.
Some thought that capitalism would make the byproducts of the previous
feudal society, like dowry, disappear. It did not happen; on the other
hand, capitalism has reinvented it. She quoted the 1961 census figures
which showed that 60 per cent of the population did not take
dowry. But 40 years later we find that dowry has broadened its
tentacles. The consumerist culture, inculcated by multinational
companies, nurtures the discrimination against women so that the market
for their products grows through the use of dowry as an avenue. She
said the fight against patriarchy and globalization has to go hand in
hand. Noor Mohammed, member of the CPI(M) state secretariat, translated
her speech into Tamil.
The presidium consisted of state committee members Suganthi, Palani and
Kanagaraj and district committee member Leema Rose, MLA. Kanyakumari
district secretary Murugesan welcomed the gathering. State committee
member Karumalaiyan proposed the vote of thanks. There was sharing of
survey experiences from all the four districts. A few victims of dowry
narrated their problems and also told how the AIDWA and the CPI(M) were
helping them. State committee member Mallika moved a resolution. While
delivering the concluding address, Central Committee member U Vasuki
explained the demands the conference had decided to take up. The one
day convention no doubt inspired the participants to strengthen the
struggle against women’s oppression.
People's Democracy