Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement on Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has created a wave of anger across Twitter.
Addressing an event organised by the University of Dhaka in Bangladesh, Modi, who was on a two-day official visit to the country, said, “I am happy to say that the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, despite being a woman, is saying boldly that she has zero tolerance toward terrorism.”
Image Source: http://bit.ly/1H6LyP2
This statement quickly went viral. Many took to social media criticising the Prime Minister for being sexist. Hence, #DespiteBeingAWoman was born, with women using Twitter to sarcastically cite mundane things they had done that day “despite being a woman”.
When elected in 2014, Modi made women’s safety one of his key campaign promises. Since assuming office, he has started a series of programmes to boost educational opportunities for girls and has encouraged more women to join the workforce.
Despite not gaining any media coverage in Bangladesh, people within the country were quick to criticise the Prime Minister on social media as well. Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina came to power in January 2009 and successive governments in Bangladesh have championed women’s education, with dramatic results on development in the country – outpacing India on some key indicators.
#DespiteBeingAWoman was one of trending topics on Twitter, with users expressing anger at what they say was a bigoted remark and posting pictures of famous female scientists, politicians and athletes.
“How can you even say or think #DespiteBeingAWoman when your own country had a great female PM way before most first world countries! Shame!” tweeted a Mumbai-based fashion blogger from the twitter handle @Fashionopolis.
“Ok. Off to work. After cooking sending kid to school to write big story and run errands. Like every other woman I know #DespiteBeingAWoman,” tweeted Gayatri Jayaraman, Senior Editor at India Today.
The Facebook page of Indian National Congress wrote: “In a shocking sexist remark, PM Shri Modi said, “I am happy to say that the Prime Minister of Bangladesh #DespiteBeingAWoman, is saying boldly that she has zero tolerance toward terrorism.” Was the PM trying to say that women are cowards and their courage needs to be validated by an Indian PM?”
Image Source: http://bit.ly/1fqnSJ4
Aarti Tikoo Singh, Assistant Editor for The Times of India, wrote: “The patriarchal, regressive and sexist mindset of South Asian men gets exposed no matter how hard they try to conceal it by sophistry and sweet talk. The Sangh’s misogynistic philosophy particulary finds its way through the vocabulary of its disciples. So the mask slipped once again, this time in Bangladesh. Our incredible Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi ji, in an address to Dhaka University on Sunday said: “I am happy that Bangladesh Prime Minister, despite being a woman, has declared zero tolerance for terrorism.” In other words, even if a woman in the subcontinent is an equal in position, power and authority, she will continue to be seen only half as good as man! And of course, a woman can’t possibly have the intellectual capacity and cerebral strength to take a clear and no-nonsense stand on political issues. #DespiteBeingAWoman”
About the Author
