Jisha — The Fighter We All Want To Be But Can Never Be!

I’m sorry Jisha that I’m a man. I’m sorry that you are the most-talked-about for all the wrong reasons, I’m sorry that the gory details of your wounds are doing rounds on social media. I’m sorry that we have changed your beloved home to an exhibition centre. More than anything, I’m sorry that those who are responsible still roam free. We have failed you and India as a nation has failed you!

I wish I was aware of your devotion to end your family’s financial crisis without you going through an ordeal which sends shivers down my spine. I’d be dejected but I would not be surprised if in the coming days this story is used by politicians for votes, media houses for TRP and chauvinists who’ll set rules for 600 million daughters of India. After all, making you weak, timid and oppressed is all we have done because it serves our purpose and it satisfies our masculinity.

Your fight against our patriarchal society for your mother, sister and yourself represents the strength, courage and determination required for a woman to exist in our society. For me ‘Jisha’ is not a victim rather it represents a ‘fighter’. It’s a synonym for all the women in our society, fighting an unjust battle every single day in one way or the other.

So here I am, saluting all the Jisha’s in my life for representing the fighter we all want to be but can never be! Please don’t cry and whisper about your battles to a fellow fighter. Instead, raise your voice, shout at the top of your lungs, shout till our ear drums start pounding.

I can assure you one thing- you will find me and thousands of other Anurag Singh’s by your side every single time you raise your voice. We will walk every single step with you and we will not stop before we find light, at the end of the tunnel. Don’t give in, not until you win this battle because we need you to win, patriarchy needs to be defeated and defeated by you. Only then we can grow physically, mentally and most importantly, ethically!