As the New Year dawns around the world, Indian women have woken up to yet another heartbreaking development. Some right-wing elements in India had created an app named Bulli Bai where they had auctioned a list of names of well-established, educated and strong Muslim women. It was humiliating not only for Muslim women but also for all women in India. In July of last year, elements on the right created a similar app called Sulli deals.
The first victims of right-wing hatred and propaganda antics are always women. The objectification of women has been a typical feature of right-wing politics. But this time, Muslim women have raised a loud voice against these humiliating and vulgar tactics.
The loud voice of protest that rose up on various platforms against this atrocious and misogynistic attempt included a touching poem by Moumita Alam. Moumita Alam is a poet, teacher and author who writes with a focus on the issues of the marginalized.
The poem “I am a Muslim woman” makes it clear in a deeply touching way that women, regardless of their religious identity, are the voice of humanity against oppression. They are not for sale:
i am a muslim woman
i am a muslim woman
And i am not for sale
I sacrifice my life for the fight for freedom
I am against British rule
I am Shaheen bagh
I’m the voice you’re afraid of
In Kashmir, in Manipur
I oppose oppression
I scream your name
To Jamia, To Aligarh
I am the story
You want to wipe
I am geography
You want to annihilate