Navratri and the Tragedy of Indian Women

It’s that time of the year again when loudspeakers turn into sleepless alarm clocks, pandals pop up at every street corner, and the nation collectively becomes the brand ambassador of the divine feminine. For nine whole days, we bow, chant, and shower flowers at the feet of the Devi. And then, on the tenth day, as if someone flipped a cultural switch, we go right back to catcalling her at the bus stop.

Welcome to the Great Indian Double Standard a tragicomedy performed by none other than the Desi Male.

Let’s face it: Most Indian men adore the idea of worshipping goddesses. The keyword here is idea. Real women? Ah, that’s where things get tricky. Suddenly the same man who is belting out “Ya Devi sarvabhuteshu, shakti-rupena samsthita” is also belting out an unsolicited “Hi baby, looking sexy” across the street. Talk about range.

The contradictions are almost poetic.

• Durga with ten arms? Revered.
• Your colleague asking for equal pay? “Arrey, why so demanding yaar?”
• Kali with her fierce rage? Worshipped.
• Your girlfriend expressing anger? “So much attitude, must be her ‘time of the month.’
• Saraswati, goddess of wisdom? Offered prayers.
• Daughters wanting to study more? Just get her married higher education is expensive . She is her husbands headache now 

The hypocrisy doesn’t end there. Indian men will touch their mother’s feet in the morning and then, by evening, be found squeezing past women in crowded pandals like they’re auditioning for India’s Got No Boundaries.

And let’s not even start on social media. Every Navratri, timelines explode with posts of “Jai Mata Di! Respect Women!” followed by reels of those same self-proclaimed devotees sharing “funny” memes about their wives’ shopping habits. Respect be damned 

The truth is, men in this country often want their goddesses in temples and their women in cages. A goddess who slays demons? Yes. A woman who slays in a boardroom? “Too intimidating.” A goddess riding a lion? Inspirational. A woman riding a bike? “Characterless. Your legs are showing !!!

So here’s a thought for this Navratri season: before picking up the thali, maybe put down the double standards. If you’re truly the masculine you claim to be, stop lying, stop pitting women against each other, and for heaven’s sake, stop thinking feminism is a threat to your manhood. Respect isn’t a nine-day ritual …it’s a lifelong practice :)