January 27, 2008

Syeda S. Hameed has done intensive research on women’s issues and was a member of the National Commission for Women, India, in 1997-2000. Her book They Hang is based on the cases that came before her. Here, Dr Hameed answers some questions we put to her

Remember my story about child sex abuse? The official went on national TV to say ‘aisi gandi suchchai chhupi rehti tau acchha hota’. (Had such an ugly truth remained concealed, it would have been better).

Need to write this book

During my term at the National Commission for Women I felt the urge to write this book. Too many unresolved issues agitated me. I think my book may have helped in creating self-introspection in the Commission and forcing women to rethink strategies.

Which of the cases touched her most

That is a tough question. Each case took its toll on me. If I had to pick one, perhaps it was Maimun, partly because it was my first big case and partly because it was the den of Jihalat in the heart of Shining India, plus it reminded me of the pre-Islamic dark ages in the Arabian peninsula.

What prevented her from changing anything

These commissions are quite powerless. Despite their statutory status they are hollow. They have power to summon but no enforcement power or machinery. The best we could do was to begin making a few systemic changes. If these changes see light of day, they may provide succour in the future. But the Maimuns, Sajonis, Lalita Oraons, Ila Pandeys would never know justice.

Changes in the context of violence against women in India since 2000

We have a law against domestic violence; that itself is a big step. But women have not gained in any major way. There is very little enforcement, leave alone awareness. At least now we have an instrument. But the actors are the same old faces, the havaldar, sub-inspector, the SHO, stuck in the groove of patriarchy.

About ‘faction’, the style adopted for this book

At the core of each incident lies the truth of the woman’s life. But I have turned it into stories. I could have written differently; I had news clippings about all the cases. But I wanted readers to get hooked and go through the entire book.

So often we start reading then set the book aside, never to return. I wanted this book to be read so I created a drama. But even as I was writing the dialogues I was painfully close to the truth.

Personal experiences and objectivity of the book

All good questions. I don’t know if I can answer. I felt an inner urge to write about my own experience, of sexual harassment for instance. Kadambari’s, Juhi and Shaista’s experience was like my own. In my next book I will again juxtapose my characters with myself.

Men’s ability to write about violence against women

Men cannot write a similar book, at least most men that I know. They lack the courage to recognise, leave alone write about, such ‘ugly’ realities. Remember my story about child sex abuse? The official went on national TV to say ‘aisi gandi suchchai chhupi rehti tau acchha hota’. (Had such an ugly truth remained concealed, it would have been better) n

— ZM