Happy Valentine’s Day! Unless, of course, you live in India. Who’d have thought the peace-loving Hindus would take to cracking the skulls of those foolish enough to observe that most decadent of Western holidays (after Christmas, of course)? Something called the Sri Ram Sena (a hardline Hindu faction) has been threatening (and sometimes carryout out) violence against shops, restaurants, pubs, and especially young women, who observe Valentine’s Day. To call these people busybodies is to make light of the damage they do. They are, in fact, little different from the Taliban and the Saudi morality police who would rather beat and kill those who don’t do as they say.
Lest we think the populace will roll over in the face of these thugs, to the defense comes the Consortium of Pubgoing, Loose and Forward Women (which wins my award for Best Organization Name Ever). Despite their whimsical name, the Consortium’s young women vow to face down the SRS bullies, and have even mounted a campaign called the “Pink Chaddi Campaign,” which encourages people to mail pink “chaddis” (panties) to the SRS headquarters. Nice. It’s like a panty raid in reverse. They also have a Facebook page.
What a beautiful and peaceful way to make the point! Bullies are bullies whether US right wing conservatives or Taliban extremists.
One of my sons sent me this news item so I would pass it on to others who might qualify to join or support this group. He honored me by sending it on Valentine’s day with a note that he knew this was my type of group.
He’s a young veterinarian who loves strong independent women so much he has been unable to decide which one (of many) to stay with for the rest of his life. (He lives in Colorado so there are lots of Pubgoing, Loose and Forward Women even in his small mountain town) Needless to say, if the “Consortium of Pubgoing, Loose and Forward Women” needed a “Men’s Auxilliary” (they don’t seem to) he’d be running for president of the support group just so he’d have a better chance to meet the most interesting women in the area.
My very best to all of you. I will be following your progress in dealing with these over zealous thought police.
“The Men’s Auxiliary of the Consortium of Pubgoing, Loose and Forward Women” – I like that! :)