Gauriamma

 https://fiftytwo.in/story/the-knife/

Modern India’s history is replete with instances of extraordinary misogyny inflicted on its most prominent women politicians, including Jayalalithaa, Mayawati, Mamata Banerjee and Sonia Gandhi. Gouri was perhaps the first to face it within a party whose ideals explicitly uphold the principles of universal human equality.

Gouri “was thrown out of the party because she is a gutsy woman. This secret is now widely known through whispers about her boldness and arrogance.” In a patriarchal world, he noted, “these are attributes which only men are entitled to. In men these are qualities of leadership; in a woman they are signs of impudence and haughtiness. Male chauvinism expects women to meekly follow commands without questioning.”

In discussing Gouri’s political career, observers sometimes bring up her temperament: what they describe as her thandedam, thanporuma and thanpramanitham—her boldness, her tendency for one-upmanship and her self-aggrandisement.

Kerala politics is, even today, unable to accommodate outspoken women.

Memory is such a bitch, telling you different things at different times. People you thought you could never love, people you think you will never manage to forgive, you forgive after some time.

Karayatha Gouri, thalaratha Gouri

Kalikondu ninnal aval bhadrakaali

Ithukettu konde cherubalyam ellam

Pathivayi njangal bhayamaatti vannu

The Gouri who never cries or tires

The Gouri who becomes Bhadrakali in her rage

Hearing her stories, throughout our childhood

We routinely escaped from our fears.

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It's not just politics. Politics is an extension  of life. Basically our Indian society is patriarchal and could never stand an outspoken woman in any walk of life. Women who made it to top and made a mark there did with lot of struggle and no or less support. The struggle for every woman with opinion is real. We adjust that's why the society is at peace. The day we all just turn to rebel mode n back each other, the world will see a new revolution.

Missing my father,  who introduced her to me. Thanks to  Bindu Manoj for sharing  this  link,  reading  it, felt  like I was talking to my father. 42nd of 2021