Ray of hope in fight for rights in Kolkata

KOLKATA: Shaina Javed has dared to challenge norms in a conservative neighbourhood. The 22-year-old from Rajabazar has not only challenged oppressive religious customs but taken on maulvis who would bar women from venturing out of home.
Rejecting the hijab, Shaina has got other women to come out of the veil. She has thrown her weight behind victims of domestic violence.Along with her team of 30 like-minded youngsters — they have christened themselves Roshni Youth Group — Shaina has waged a battle demanding equal rights for women in minority-dominated Rajabazar.
It all started four years ago when Shaina was asked not to leave home without the burqa and to stop wearing western outfits. She could study but had to prepare for marriage, her parents told her. Shaina refused to accept the diktat. “I challenged the norms. It took a lot of convincing on my part to get my parents allow me study. They didn't force me to wear the hijab. But I felt there must be scores of others like me who were being compelled to wear the burqa. So, I reached out to my neighbours, asking them to come together and form a platform to demand equal rights for women,” Shaina said.
She found enthusiastic support from around 10 girls and formed Roshni. “Ladka ladki ek saman, tab hi bane samaj mahaan” (a community flourishes only when boys and girls are treated equally) was their slogan.
It didn't go down well with the orthodox sections of the community. Initially, boys were hesitant but they began trickling in soon after the Roshni members staged a street play on dowry. “Some of the seniors felt we were stretching things too far. Even my brothers said they have nothing to do with us anymore,” said Shaina. But she didn't retract her steps. Soon, Roshni had an office on Raja Dinendra Lane.
For the group, the struggle continues. Shania wants to rope in the clergy in the fight. “If boys can join us, why can’t religious leaders. Once they do, things are bound to change,” she argues.