Insecurity pro-legalisation of sex work lobby

[Guest guest]

Dear FORUM,

Recently our partner in Bangalor Mitr Sanketa had a very interesting experience

which I feel very strongly compelled to relate.

As a part of the Movement Against Trafficking (MAT) initiated by Prajwala, our

partner in Bangalore Mitr Sankeeta has been organizing sensitization programs

for people from all walks of life on trafficking and its strong linkages with

commercial sexual exploitation.

A candle light vigil on MG Road , Bangalore has been a monthly activity to raise

public opinion on these issues.

On one such candle light vigil last month which had a lot of college youth

participating a group of 50 women met our partner on the road requesting them to

allow their team also to participate in the vigil.

Our partners most happily conceded little did they realize what was in store for

them!

In a few minutes these women were holding posters/placards which contradicted

our posters. It was then our partners realized that these were women coming from

a pro-prostitution outfit.

On requesting them not to hold their posters an argument ensued wherein these

women very violently accused our partner of being party to destroy their

livelihood and forcing them to starvation.

Patiently when our partner questioned them on how many of them had entered

prostitution by choice most of them were tongue tied. Further when they were

questioned whether they will like their dear ones in the same trade many broke

down.

In the meantime a male spokesperson of the group also arrived and started

arguing… Anyway the vigil became a spicy affair with two groups of people

holding placards with totally contradictory messages... (of course confusing the

public massively! And the media guys making snide potshots)

All this in a event organized by our partner which I am sure all of us who work

in the sector understand the difficulties police permission mobilizing

volunteers sensitized to the cause, preparing placards, arranging candles,it

takes a lot of efforts and resources and then to get gate crashed by another

uninvited group

Well India is a democracy ! so can't complaint

Post all this drama now our partner is plagued by different self proclaimed

arbitrators who want to facilitate a dialogue between both the groups one does

not know who authorizes whom but the actual group in contention is nowhere in

sight!

Having heard all this just one question keeps coming into my mind

WHY THIS INSECURITY ? WHICH FORCES ONE TO GATECRASH OTHER PEOPLES EVENTS

ARE YOUR CONVICTIONS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO HOLD ITS OWN GROUND

IS IT POSSIBILE THAT YOU ALSO SEE THE TRUTH IN OUR WORDS AND THAT THREATENS YOU.

 

Dr Sunitha Krishnan

Prajwala

e-mail: sunitha_2002@...