The demon under the sheets

Imagine this scenario: A newly-wed bride is dressed with the best clothes and ornaments and is made to sit gracefully on a velvet bed decked in flowers. Her lips are trembling, hands sweating, her forehead twitching with anxiety. The man of the hour enters the room, and the girl's heart races faster than her thoughts. He lifts her face and pulls her closer, dragging her in a way that she lies down on the bed. He gets on top of her and plunges deep inside. The girl writhes in pain but follows the orders of her mother and aunts, saying "do not make him angry, do whatever he asks you to." The man finishes his job and snores soundly while tears roll down the girl's eyes and blood drips down her skirt.

Marital rape is not considered rape at all, especially in traditional societies. Girls are programmed to save themselves for this day and to remain pure for their husband. But what could you expect of a country that wants its daughters to marry their rapists? It will not be a punishment to the man, but what about the woman who has to live with a monster like that for the rest of her life? She will be chained into the institution of marriage for the rest of her life.

How can we, despite being in an educated society, do this to our daughters? In the blindness of reputation, we are knowingly pushing them into hell. When they complain, we shush them, saying it's okay. This is the way it is supposed to be. Women are compared to mother earth for their courage and ability to bear. But how much and how long?

A woman has every right to oppose whatever she doesn't feel is right, even if it is in her own marriage or elsewhere. It's time now to stop. Women should and must stand up for themselves. Show the world that you are not only mother earth but Maa Kali as well.

A failed marriage or rape is not the end of life. They might come with scars that might tear you apart from day-to-day. That does not mean you should succumb to them. You should outgrow them and pledge not to marry a man who cannot respect you and love you for what you are and who you are. If men want only virgins as their wives, so do women. At least have the sense and heart to make your wife your only, rather than being infested and dying a horrid death out of STDs.