On The Side Of Modernity

The good thing about this debate over “pub culture” is that it has clearly shown Indian society to be divided between two competing claims: on the one hand, there is the Hindoo claim to tradition; and on the other, the claim of the westernized elite to modernity.

(This longish report from Mangalore, where the goon squads struck recently, tells the tale well.)

The mass of the people are placed between these two contesting claims – one looking back, the other looking forward.

But while the traditionalists are misusing force, including State force, and are therefore “political,” the modernists are not. The reason for this is not hard to find: the traditionalists are lumpen elements, drawn from the lowest rungs of politics and political parties, while the modernists are an elite. They are therefore few. They lack political strength – which is numbers.

But that does not mean that the modernists cannot win the battle. They are superior in every way to these goons. The real battle is the battle for public opinion – for it is opinion that finally rules. And in this battle, the goons can scarcely compete effectively with elites.

But this battle must be fought. It is not only about a “way of life” – the good life, if I may add – it is, most importantly, about the subjugation of women. In Mangalore, the goons beat up the women. They want all Hindoo women in sarees, demure, serving dinner dutifully to their (drunken?) husbands. This stereotypical Hindoo woman is their ideal. This may hold appeal to some village women, but it is not the way in which Indian women have been progressing in their long march to Freedom.

Take western attire: the urban young Indian woman is never seen in a saree today. This trend is also reflected in the movies coming out of Bollywood. I just saw an interesting Hindi film called “A Wednesday,” in which the female lead is a television news reporter – always in western clothes. In reality, women TV anchors are never seen in sarees – not since the days of Doordarshan. If we look at the airlines: Air India and Indian Airlines have stewardesses in sarees, but in every single private airline, the air hostess is dressed in modern western wear. And she seems to be loving it.

As the above examples show, the culture of the Congress also rejected the modern west. Indira Gandhi always wore a saree, as does Sonia Gandhi today. The Congress’ claim to fame was a rejection of everything western, including, of course, alcohol. India’s westernized elite must therefore opt for another kind of politics, something very different from party politics.

I suggest the “public actions of free people.” Those in favour of western attire and pubs, especially women, must dare to go out in public defending their dress sense and their way of life – against all comers. They must Fight for their Freedom on the Street. And their men should Fight alongside.

So put on your blue suede shoes, your jeans and your T-shirt with attitude, ladies – and hit the pubs.

And if I were the bartender I would definitely say “this beer is on the house.”