Podcast Episode Script: “Feminist Voices” – Janpath News Network – New Delhi
Kajal Singh (Anchor):
Hello everyone, and welcome to Feminist Voices, a special segment on Janpath News Network. I’m your host, Kajal Singh from New Delhi.
Today we’re diving into a deeply sensitive and complex issue – the ongoing tensions involving Iran, America, Israel, and the situation in Gaza – but through a powerful feminist lens.
Joining me is Dr. Sujata Chokherbali, Associate Professor at Shyamlal College, University of Delhi. She is a distinguished voice in feminist literature and critical writing. Thank you so much for being with us today, Dr. Sujata.
Dr. Sujata Chokherbali:
Thank you, Kajal. It’s good to be here.
Kajal Singh:
Dr. Sujata, let’s begin with your sharp observation that has been making waves, about women’s freedom in Iran.
Dr. Sujata: Women have gained freedom through struggles. When you look through the history of India, you will find it very complex, especially a woman’s relationship with her nation. You have to fight those who are actually your own, but they do not consider you as their own.
Yet, if there is an attack on your country, you stand up to protect it, and history shows that too. At the time of our independence, a large number of women came forward to make immense sacrifices.
The worrying thing that emerges is how women’s freedom and rights can be appropriated in any way. Any force can come forward, appropriate women’s issues, and justify its unethical actions.
Kajal Singh:
Absolutely powerful. Now, looking at what’s happening right now between Iran, America, Israel, and in Gaza – how do you see this war from a feminist perspective?
Dr. Sujata Chokherbali:
The way the women’s aspect is being brought out feels very strange. It shouldn’t have been this way at all. But even now, we have such regressive thinking – that by bombing a nation and snatching away its sovereignty, the women there can somehow be given freedom.
Another deeply worrisome thing is that women’s freedoms and rights can be appropriated by anyone, wrongfully. Any force can come out, pick up women’s issues, and use them to justify its unethical actions. So, the entire war on Iran is unethical in itself.
We can come up with beautiful phrases – “we are giving women back their freedom,” “we will establish democracy,” “we are going to liberate women.” But everyone knows this is not the liberator of women. Feminism can never align with such methods.
Western nations are under the illusion that they are the liberators of women, the flag bearers of democracy. This war must have broken the hearts of many people.
Kajal Singh:
Absolutely. The women of Iran have been fighting courageously for their rights for a long time. Now, how deeply can America’s interference or role impact their struggle?
Dr. Sujata Chokherbali:
Since we are in India, I have already written an article in The Wire titled “To Our Sisters in Iran.” I wanted to convey that in a country where women are struggling against their own government for their rights, we can be their allies – not their saviours, but their allies in their struggle. We stood with them in solidarity.
Today, when they are fighting for the safety of their nation, we are still standing with them. Every sensible person, every just person, should stand with the women of Iran at this time.
It is the right of every woman to strive to protect her country. It can’t be that if I have a problem in my country, I go to another nation and ask them to drop bombs on my country. This is no way.
A woman’s relationship with her country is very complex. For example, your father, brother, and mother are your own. You cannot call one of them to murder the other because he is not listening to you. With all its difficulties, our relationship with our country is not optional. When there is an attack, we stand together to protect our country.
Women always struggle with both internal and external forces. This is very layered and complex. We should remember this whenever we talk about India, Iran, Pakistan, and so on – because the issue becomes a little different when we talk about European countries.
Kajal Singh:
Thank you so much, Dr. Sujata Chokherbali, for this insightful, honest, and deeply reflective conversation. Your words give us so much to think about.
Dr. Sujata Chokherbali:
Thank you, Kajal.
Kajal Singh:
That’s all for this episode of Feminist Voices. Stay thoughtful, stay critical. This is Kajal Singh signing off from Janpath News Network.
