Women's Day MP Special; Setting Up 'Thekas' For Women.. Seriously?

Bhopal, March 02: While the world at large is busy making plans for celebration of Women's Day, the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh has moved up making women feel shocked and surprised in annoyance, both together this time! In a move seemingly to 'appease women', the Kamal Nath led government has decided to build liquor shops solely dedicated to them. To ensure hassle-free purchases, these thekas are going to stock wine and other high-end alcohol. The Congress led govt has decided to go ahead with this venture in Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur and Gwalior, much on the lines of the shops in big metropolitan cities like Mumbai and Delhi, very soon.

 

 

In an open announcement on Monday, Additional Chief Secretary, commercial tax department, ICP Keshri said that these shops would be offering foreign brands that are not sold in the state as well. Although there would be additional excise duty that would be levied on out-of-state alcohol, it is expected for these thekas to be opened in upmarket locations like malls where women can easily buy what they want without having to deal with local vendors.

 

He also added that in a bid to generate revenue and make local brands popular, the government will hold wine festivals in these cities as there has been a long-pending demand for local wine makers. When some of the states in India are on the verge to ban alchohol consumption and sale, promoting stable, safe and secure lifestyle, MP's this move is quite a source of bewilderment.

 

 

Moreover, the question to raise here is that what kind of equality is the state attempting to encourage? Women in India, and specially in Madhya Pradesh are in need of a slight push to speak up against injustice heaped upon them. Also are they in need of basic rights, like that of to education and speech. Had the Kamal Nath led government initiated to support any of the above mentioned needs, it would have been appreciative. But 'Setting Up Thekas For Women'.. seriously?

 

Further, if we have to accept this, there is a point of hypocritical aspect here. The fact that the locations are going to be upmarket caters to the idea that the rest of India is unsafe, that there is a problem with areas other than those where there is ample security. Then there is the fact that there has been a stark stereotyping of what would be available at these shops, like wine and expensive alcohol because apparently that’s what women want. This adds to the notion that a third-party knows what each woman would want to drink instead of just giving her the option to decide! Though, if we consider this step in the process (which ideally is not), a lot has to change when it comes to people wrapping their heads around women buying and consuming alcohol!