Lakhs of women stand up for gender equality

​Thiruvananthapuram: In a defining moment for feminist politics in Kerala, lakhs of women filled the roads from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram and took a pledge to protect the renaissance value and uphold gender equality. Although the wall was organised by the state's Left Democratic Front (LDF) against the backdrop of the Supreme Court verdict on Sabarimala, the women's pledge reportedly had no reference to the shrine.

"Today's women wall formation was an aim to strengthen gender equality. Women should no longer be pushed into dark sides," CPM leader Brinda Karat said. A 620-km long "women's wall" that had the backing of the Kerala government was formed on Tuesday evening linking Kasaragod in the north to Ayyanakali square near the Governor's residence in Thiruvananthapuram, with lakhs taking part.

So massive was the response to the women's chain that at some places two separate "walls" were formed to accommodate everyone. Giving full support to the event was the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and the Left Democratic Front (LDF) which had vowed to gather five million women for the event. Women from all walks of life stood on the side of the National Highway that runs from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram and took a pledge. After standing for 15 minutes, the women dispersed.

Last month, amid the row over the Sabarimala pilgrimage, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan sent out invites to social groups and it was decided to form the "women wall" so that Kerala does not become "a lunatic asylum". The other objective of the event was to promote gender equality. At the northern end, the first on the line was Health Minister KK Shailaja.

At the extreme south was CPI-M politburo member Brinda Karat. Standing beside Karat were the wives of CPI-M leaders Kamala Vijayan (Pinarayi Vijayan), Vinodhini Balakrishnan (CPI-M state Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan) and Vasumathi Achuthanandan (former Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan).

At a few places in Kasargod, the police had to use force to chase away people who had come to disrupt the women's wall. Women were seen running away and the attackers also took on the media personnel. The CPI-M blamed the Sangh Parivar for the trouble.

Later, addressing a public meeting here, Karat congratulated the women of Kerala for creating history. "This wall is just not for Kerala but for all the women in the country." Added Shailaja: "It has been a huge success from the way women participated."

Joining the human chain were women from all walks of life including from the film industry, writers and academics. "This has got nothing to do with the entry of women into Sabarimala. That's a different issue. We came to take part because we wanted to send out the message of gender equality," a woman who took part in Thrissur said.

But the Congress-led opposition condemned the 'women wall', saying it will only whip up communal passions. "The wall was a failure as it did not have the participation in rural areas as compared to cities and towns," said Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala.