Critique of Karva Chauth Coverage

Guys, the moment Karva Chauth arrives,

some people start getting an itch.

What has happened? What am I hearing?

You know what an itch is, right?

Intense restlessness, impatience. Meaning, these

people's hands start itching,

“Oh, Karva Chauth is here.

Let’s make a fuss and lecture everyone.”

Take today, for instance.

Karva Chauth had just begun when

these wise men posing as journalists

showed up to impart their wisdom

on how Karva Chauth should be viewed,

what we should learn from it. Come,

let’s discuss it in a little detail.

So, guys, on October 29, in The New Indian Express,

an article by Varnika Aval was published,

titled “The Hunger Games

of Karva Chauth.”

The subtitle lectures us that the fast which

makes you feel what it

is like to stay hungry

should make you more sensitive toward other people’s hunger.

Now, guys, my question is,

the moment Hindu festivals arrive

the moment they arrive

Why are they given the opportunity to lecture on patriarchy, hunger and social evils

?

By giving Karva Chauth a title like Hunger Games,

what was the need to present it?

What was the need?

A woman who fasts of her own volition,

for her faith,

for her relationship, by framing her devotion as

a dystopian game, what do you ultimately want

to prove? And the most interesting

thing is, when this very

newspaper published an article on Ramadan,

its title was Fest of Faith: The Role of Food in

Ramadan. There, fasting was explained

through the lens of spirituality,

faith, cultural heritage and

community bonding.

But when it came to Karva Chauth,

the title said Hunger Games and the

subtitle lectured on others' hunger.

The same newspaper,

the same journalist, but for Hindu tradition

there was

a dystopian framing, while for Ramadan,

faith and cultural

richness. Why, after all?

Why this difference?

This also raises the question of why these so

called journalists

apply the same standard when covering

different religious traditions?

If it is necessary to understand

the feelings of spirituality,

devotion and community behind fasting,

then why can't we try to understand the

beliefs people hold

behind Karva Chauth,

their religious and personal beliefs and marital bond?

And if it is necessary to question patriarchy,

health and social pressure,

then

why shouldn't this discussion take

place in every relevant tradition,

with facts and context?

Why only for Hindu festivals?

And guys, most importantly,

whether or not to celebrate Karva Chauth

should be every woman's personal decision.

Anyone who doesn't want to observe

the fast should absolutely not.

But why criticize someone who wants to observe it?

Why should she have to

repeatedly justify her choice?

Why should she be humiliated?

And who gave you the right to question any

religious tradition like this?

Doesn't the Constitution give everyone the

right to celebrate their religious beliefs

and traditions? It absolutely does.

But for a long time

now

we have seen that,

whether it's Karva Chauth

or another Hindu festival,

all these activists and so-

called journalists come out

and start dispensing their wisdom.

So dear women, never listen

to these hypocrites.

Celebrate your traditions,

your festivals and your Karva Chauth however

you want to.

Anyway, tell us what you think in the comment box.