Tuesday

I don't agree

with the concept of Nikaah...

I learned about Nikaah from Madrasa when I was a child. I have seen it happen in my family many times. Then I had to study (by heart) marriage laws in India during my Masters.
For those who don't know, Nikaah (Islam Marriage) is a social contract between the bride's male guardian (father or elder brother/uncle in father's absence). The bride's signature is obtained beforehand and hence the presence of the girl is unnecessary.

Since I always preferred staying home or doing something else to attending weddings, I was all for the concept of Nikaah when I was a child. It meant that I could curl up with a book instead of dressing up and attend weddings because girls/women are not required to attend it.

But now I chafe at the sheer injustice. No matter from which angle I look at it, it seems unfair.
Take selling your car/property to another, for instance. Isn't this exact change of ownership happening in traditional weddings? Let's try and word it like - Father/Guardian giving the daughter as wife. Even replacing the word 'selling' with 'giving' doesn't gloss it over for me. The similarity makes me shudder.

Of course this is no different from Kanyadaan or walking the bride down the aisle. That is why I think that the Indian Constitution is awesome with its Special Marriage Act.

I never dared to say all this before. But I have to. I feel that my pride is at sake. My honour too. Everything I believe in is at stake.
BECAUSE I AM NOT A PROPERTY. I'M A HUMAN BEING!