A student at Jain University in Bengaluru asked Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to comment on the systemic inequality women have to overcome in a patriarchal world. In reply, the Minister derided her concerns, exclaiming “What’s patriarchy ya?”
She then scolded and shamed her for expressing those concerns.
What she said is not new. Which woman in India has never been accused of “Western elite feminism” when they have spoken about inequality or injustice based on their gender?
But in this case, this message is not coming from your exasperating but harmless neighbourhood uncle or auntie. It comes from a Minister in the Central government, someone in a position of unusual power, authority, and influence. So, we can’t afford to just roll our eyes and laugh it off.