Just a couple of weeks ago, India watched with horror the ugly scenes that took place at a pub in Mangalore. Self-styled protectors of “Indian culture” had raided a pub in down-town Mangalore.

Followers of a “fringe group” called Shri Rama Sena beat up young women who were in a pub. And as these women ran out, they were beaten and struck down by more goons who were waiting outside. The victims however say that these “saviours” of Indian culture molested them.

What followed this grotesque violation of individual liberty were quite predictable. The BJP government in Karnataka handled these criminals with kid-gloves. Although they were arrested, their leaders were allowed to speak to the media. Policemen who stood nearby appeared to be their body guards. A few days later, to the utter disbelief of every civilised Indian, these crusaders were granted bail. They were jubilant as they emerged from police custody—each dorning a saffron shawl to mark their affiliation to the larger Sangh Parivar. Blame-game is nothing new in India. After every terror attack or accident or criminal violation, politicians set their machinery rolling.
 

As a nation, we believe that we need to fix the blame on someone for any untoward incident. Fixing the blame is considered to be more important than fixing the system or even bringing the culprits to justice!
 

The National Womens’ Commission’s finding that the owners of the pub are responsible for the whole incident is apalling. Since when are pub owners responsible for “law and order?” Is not the state responsible for ensuring the safety and security of its citizens?

And then there are these debates on the pubs, “pub-culture,” consumption of alcohol, influence of Western culture on Indian youth, etc. Some are for prohibition, some for moderation and still some others for outright drunkeness. History has proved that prohibition is not the cure for alcoholism. The promotion of moderaton is the answer. Are you listening, Mr. Ramadoss?

Interestingly, Shri Ram Sene is not bothered about consumption of alcohol per se, much less about the problem of alcoholism. Karnataka is among the top consumers of “Indian Made Foreign Liquor” and no political party has attempted to curb over-consumption of liquor. Apart from bars in licensed hotels, there are these ubiqutous “wine” shops that serve liquor illegally to their customers. Men just walk in and have a drink!

Shri Ram Sene is bothered about women consuming alcohol! This, they say, is contrary to “Indian culture.” How dare a woman go to a pub, wonder these “volunteers.” According to their definition of “Indian culture,” men may consume as much alcoholic drinks as they possibly can; women dare not venture into this domain!

True, gender-bias is deeply ingrained in the Indian psyche. Women were not allowed to learn Sanskrit until Pandita Ramabai dared to be different. Women were prohibited from listening to the vedas! Women, they say, will not attain salvation until she succeeds in becoming a brahmin male through the endless cycle of births and rebirths.

Even today, when a woman occupies the highest office in our country, women are not allowed to appear before male guests. Important decisions in the family are taken without consulting women in the household. A man is allowed to beat his wife; even the woman’s parents do not dare to question a violent son-in-law. There are regions in India where women are not allowed even to ride a bicycle. Religious sanction to these malpractices make things difficult.
 

Therefore, instead of one “Indian” culture,
we have several Indian cultures in this country.
We seek unity in the midst of diversity.
That does not mean that we seek to amalgamate
all these cultures into one grand “Indian” culture.
 

At a time when women were not even allowed to sit with male worshippers in a synagogue, the Church permitted women not just to sit with men but also to pray and prophecy and exercise spiritual gifts. Without obliterating the obvious creational differences between men and women, apostle Paul asserted that “in Christ” - that is in matter of salvation – gender does not make a difference. Paul had women co-workers. The Indian church, often under the influence of popular Indian notions, is yet to understand and implement these biblical principles in their entirety.

Am I crusading for the Indian woman’s right to visit a bar or a pub? No, my concern is not limited to pubs. I speak up to condemn the medieval attitudes in India that get their sustenance from faulty ‘religious’ convictions. Outfits such as the Shri Ram Sene represent a large section of Indian society that resists the incursion of modernity into their medieval world. Failing to understand that they are fighting a philosophical system called “modernity,” they identify “the West” as their enemy!

It is indeed interesting to note that much of India is still in the medieval age while developed countries are already modern or even post-modern. I fail to understand how we can become a “developed” country while we cling to our medieval attitudes. Even in the offices of computer scientists and software engineers you may find a lemon and green chillies suspended at the main entrance to ward of evil spirits! Today’s “modern” India tries to reap the benefits of modernity while clinging on to their medieval beliefs. Modernity is not just about wide roads and improved communication networks. Until and unless we change our way of thinking, unless we trash our unreasonable superstitions, we are not going to be a developed country.

After hearing all these discussions about “Indian culture,” I wonder whether there is anything called “Indian” culture. “Culture” is an aggregate of language, food habits, values, world-view, attire, entertainment, art, rituals, etc. India is not a homogenous country in spite of all our claims to the contrary. India is a mosaic of different cultures—as is evident by the multiplicity of languages, attire, cuisines, rituals and lifestyles. Within each state of India, we find numerous cultures. For instance, all Keralites speak Malayalam. Yet, there are different communities in Kerala that have distinct cultures. In some tribal villages of Kerala, you can see men and women in local bars that sell “toddy”—a local brew. Catholics in Goa, for instance, have a very distinct culture. That is the case with each community in India. Urban centres are a melting pot of several cultures.

Therefore, instead of one “Indian” culture, we have several Indian cultures in this country. We seek unity in the midst of diversity. That does not mean that we seek to amalgamate all these cultures into one grand “Indian” culture.

This page is updated on February 21, 2009