New Delhi: ‘Satyamev Jayate’ has created a separate space for itself in the hearts of TV viewers in a small span of just six weeks. Like every other episode, the seventh edition also raised an issue. This time the focus was on the problem of domestic violence.
A basic indication of what to expect from the show was given prior to the seventh episode and it was believed to be centred around the theme of ideal husbands. The opening address by Aamir Khan also hinted towards this when he said that the show has only male audiences. However, the humour was soon replaced by horror when women from different walks of life started to share their experiences of domestic violence.
Snehalata Jadhav was the first person to share her experiences on the show. She removed curtains from some of the widely held beliefs. A majority of people in the Indian society believe that the domestic violence happens in the initial years of marriage, but Snehalata’s account revealed that she was undergoing the torture even after 15 years of marriage.
Her decision of coming out of the marriage came a bit late, but it’s always better to be late than never. Some researches and studies also support the presence of domestic violence in our society. A visit of Satyamaev Jayate’s team to the Bhabha Hospital revealed that almost 40% of women admitted there were tortured at home.
Writer and councillor Rashmi Anand shattered the notion that domestic violence happens only with poor women. She had to go through it despite being from a very privileged family. Her courage paved the way and today she has become a successful writer.
Women activist Kamala Bhasin focussed the role of ancient traditions in forming a society with a male dominated mindset. She traced the roots of the problem to the age old conventions. She also explained how a so called male is supposed to behave in the society. She also stressed on the role of inherited property in creating a favourable situation for domestic violence.
The Prevention of Women from Domestic Violence Act was also discussed; however the makers of ‘Satyamev Jayate’ refrained themselves from getting into the technicalities of the law.Shanno Begum of New Delhi also shared her thoughts about what is to be needed to curb the problem of domestic violence. She had been harassed at home and outside before she decided to learn driving
as an occupation.
Aamir discussed the problem of domestic violence with the male members of the audience in the last segment of the programme. Meenal Jain ended the show with her heart touching song ‘Gumshum na rahungi’.
