THE CRUSADER: a short story

 

THE CRUSADER
A Short Story

By LB Thapa

Sabitri is outspoken and direct, and at times, she is even aggressive in making herself heard. Because of her straightforward nature, not only women but many men praise her vociferously. Sabitri is a crusader. She would always take the side of women and fight for their rights. However, Sabitri’s parents did not like their only daughter poking her nose into the affairs of others and landing in trouble for nothing.

 
"Many times I have advised you to complete your graduation; after that, you can do whatever you want to do in your life. But my advice has only fallen on your deaf ears", complained Ghanashyam irritatingly. He turned to his wife, who supported her husband and asked her daughter to stop working as a crusader anymore.
 
"Look, Baba", Sabitri addressed her father and said. "I cannot see injustice against a woman. It is because she is powerless and cannot fight for her rights like men. Being a woman myself, I cannot watch all this happening just like a mute spectator". 
 
"That is alright, but how long will all this go on?" You are already 28 years old, and you still don’t want to get married. Stop thinking and acting very much like a man. You are the only child, and we want you to be settled with your husband before we die. Why don’t you understand all this?" Ghanashyam asked frustratingly.

Instead of replying to her father’s question, Sabitri went to her room. She latched the door from inside and was getting ready to attend a program, which was to begin within two hours at the city hall. The program was organized by a local Aama Samuha.
 
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, a program was organized by Kalika Aama Samuh. As many as 30 representatives of Aama Samuh attended the program from different parts of the country. Sabitri was invited as a special guest to share her experience as an active activist.
 
A young girl clipped the badge of a special guest onto Sabitri’s front pocket of the jacket. Then the girl ushered Sabitri to an empty seat on the stage. Sabitri listened to the speeches patiently. However, many people who knew Sabitri very well wanted to listen to her speech, as Sabitri was an eloquent speaker. Finally, breaking the monotony of the program, Sabitri was called upon to deliver her speech. No sooner had Sabitri’s name was announced than the hall was filled with the sound of clapping.
 
Sabitri reached the podium. She cleared her throat, drank a little water, and threw a glance at the audience.
 
"First of all, I’m grateful to the organizer of this program for giving me this opportunity to share my experience as a women’s rights activist. I have dedicated my life to the service of those women whose voices are suppressed and unheard. I’m always with them, and I will always work for them. Now let me come to the point", said Sabitri, continuing to speak.

"Over the years, much has been written and discussed about women's empowerment. So much so that now the word women's empowerment has started losing its significance and has been relegated to a cliché. Let's come to International Women’s Day, and we will see how floods of programs are organized across the country, where participants show unprecedented enthusiasm and gusto in support of women. Many speakers eulogize womanhood with flowery language, basking in the glory of women’s role in the making of a new society. Even the Holy Scriptures have praised women with an open heart, in a Hindu society where women are regarded as Devi and Shakti, the most cherished symbols of love and creation. A woman is said to have creative inspiration for poets and artists. She has therefore been installed on the highest pedestal of reverence in our society. If all this is true, then there should be nothing wrong with the women. But the truth is otherwise, and therefore I’m forced to take up the cudgels in my hands to fight against discrimination. It is a pity that all these years, women have been reduced to Dasi. In a tradition-ridden society like ours, where her position has not improved much. Truth has it that a woman is considered no better than a pair of shoes, which may be redundant or changed just at the will of a man".
 
Sabitri suddenly paused, turned to the audience, and asked, "If I am wrong, then you can register your disagreement right now." But there was pin-drop silence in the city hall—Sabitri continued.
 
"In the end, I would like to conclude my speech by saying that International Women's Day does focus on equal rights, equal opportunities, and progress for all. The event is celebrated all over the world with much excitement and hope. However, the bitter reality is that millions of women all over the world do not enjoy equal rights. Let’s educate every girl child because I strongly believe that only education will empower our daughters to become aware of their situation".
No sooner had Sabitri concluded her speech than everyone in the city hall gave a huge round of applause to Sabitri, nonstop clapping.
 
When the program ended, Dhan Maya Didi, the president of Kalika Aama Samuh presented a token of love to Sabitri and thanked her for attending the program. When Sabitri was coming out of city hall, a young reporter was waiting for her interview.
 
"Sabitri ji, namaskar", he said with a broad smile across his face.
"I’m here to take your interview. Will you please oblige me by giving me your little time?" asked the reporter politely. However, Sabitri wanted to reach home at the earliest and take a rest. So Sabitri politely denied the interview. But the reporter was adamant.
 
"Sabitri ji, I have been waiting for the last two hours." "I listened to your speech, and I have even noted down every word that you spoke in your speech." The reporter wanted to continue, but Sabitri interrupted him and expressed her doubt.
 
"What you said? You have noted down every word that I said in my speech. Now you are lying because no matter how fast you write, no one can write down every word spoken".
 
"Why not Sabitri ji? Maybe for many reporters, it is not possible, but for me, it is possible. It is because I have completed a Diploma in Stenography from India", said the reporter, and he showed all those pages to Sabitri as proof.
 
Sabitri looked at those papers, but she could not figure out anything.
"Oh, this is great." "Honestly speaking, I’m not aware of stenography or something like that." Sabitri accepted her ignorance and agreed to the interview.
 
"Sabitri ji, Nepali women in general are still backward, and the progress is at a snail's pace. Who is to blame for all this?" asked the reporter.
 
"Nepali women, who constitute over 50 percent of the total population, are still backward and underprivileged in many fields. Poverty, illiteracy, and superstition are much to blame for their miserable condition. At the same time, the age-old patriarchal social structure and gender discrimination are equally responsible for keeping them backward. Hence, the darkness of ignorance could be repelled only through the light of education", said Sabitri convincingly.
 
"Do you see any improvement in the situation of Nepali women in the country?" asked the reporter.
 
"Unfortunately, Nepali women are highly prone to domestic violence. They are restricted to standing equal to their male counterparts. They are not allowed to participate in many religious rituals. They are treated like untouchables during the menstruation period. They are thrashed or even killed for dowry. They are treated badly only if they have a baby girl. In a situation like this, how can one be satisfied with the current situation of the women", complained Sabitri.
 
"As the government claims, it has been largely successful in giving more opportunities to women and bringing down discrimination in recent times. What is your opinion about this?" asked the reporter.
 
"The government had aimed to eliminate gender discrimination by 2015. But even after 2020–23, there is no improvement in the situation of women in the country. Let’s not forget that no success can be achieved without a social and educational revolution in the country. "The truth has it that without sincere commitment and pragmatic education, women's empowerment will remain a hollow slogan", opined Sabitri.
 
"Ok, Sabitri ji, the interview is over. I just want to tell you that I have been following you for the last one and a half years. I have written several articles about your fight for the rights of women", said the reporter.
 

"Oh, yes, I have read many of your articles. In fact, I also wanted to meet you, but I simply could not because of my hectic schedule. But I still remember your name. You must be Alok, am I right?"

 
"Yes, Sabitri ji, you are absolutely right. I am Alok. I’m one of your greatest well-wishers and fans too. Actually, I always wanted to take your interview, but it could not have become possible due to several reasons", said Alok with a tinge of sadness on his face.
 

After a little pause, Alok said, "Actually, I saw you received a token of love from the organizer of this program. But I too have brought something for you. I hope you will not refuse it", said Alok nervously, and he handed over a small box that was beautifully wrapped. Sabitri was a bit puzzled and wanted to open that box right in front of Alok. But Alok stopped her from opening the box and requested that Sabitri open it at home.

 

Upon reaching home, the first thing Sabitri did was open the box. But what she saw in the box was something she had never expected. She could not sleep the whole night. It was 2 o’clock at night when she stood in front of the mirror, and perhaps for the first time, she looked at her own image in the mirror as a woman. She began feeling a woman within herself. A strange sense of womanly feeling overwhelmed her. She went to her bed and opened the box, picked up the rose flower, and kept it much closer to her heart.

LB Thapa is the publisher and editor of The Hemingway Post, a literary magazine. 

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