All posts tagged: feminist

Varsity created needless controversy, says renowned feminist historian Uma Chakravarti

Varsity created needless controversy, says renowned feminist historian Uma Chakravarti

Published by Parlour News

Prof. Uma Chakravarti criticises SNDT University for cancelling her lecture without providing any reason. File | Photo Credit: The Hindu Taking a swipe at the SNDT University, the varsity that allegedly cancelled her lecture without providing any reason, feminist historian Uma Chakravarti, 84, who delivered the Neera Desai Memorial Lecture on Saturday (March 14, 2026), said that the university had created a needless controversy. “It is amusing. SNDT was a university which was set up by Maharshi Karve by bringing together Brahmin widows who were cast off in Hindu society by Brahminical patriarchy. I had written the article on Brahminical patriarchy 30 years ago. I wasn’t even going to speak about it during my lecture. But it is counterproductive to be so concerned about it,” she said. She was speaking at Shivaji Mandir in Dadar on ‘A Feminist Looks Back: Four Decades of a Long March’ for a series titled ‘Lectures That Needed to Happen’ organised by the non-profit Mumbai Peace. The invitation to the programme had stated: “Dr. Uma Chakravarti’s talk, scheduled for March …

Shah Rukh Khan is true ‘feminist’ and this anecdote shared by Jawan title track singer Raja Kumari is proof

Shah Rukh Khan is true ‘feminist’ and this anecdote shared by Jawan title track singer Raja Kumari is proof

Published by Parlour News

Shah Rukh Khan is one of the most loved actors in Bollywood. Many celebrities have expressed their admiration for his gentlemanly behavior in the past. Singer Raja Kumari, who sang the title track in SRK’s movie Jawan, recently shared an anecdote that is proof that the actor is a true ‘feminist.’ In a recent episode of the podcast The Male Feminist for Hauterrfly, Raja Kumari was asked if Shah Rukh Khan was a male feminist. In response, she shared, “Of course he is.” He believed that the actor was very ‘empowering.’  The singer recalled an experience that she faced a few years back with a representative from a music company. She said that the person had come to LA and wanted to meet her. Raja Kumari mentioned that she was trying to get into Bollywood and wanted to do ‘big anthemic songs.’ She remembered, “The guy straight up said, ‘But how can you sing for the song? You’re a woman; the main character is a man.’” She stated that she was shocked, and the incident stayed with …

‘Why has India’s feminist movement not spoken on Savitribai Phule as yet?’: Kancha Ilaiah

‘Why has India’s feminist movement not spoken on Savitribai Phule as yet?’: Kancha Ilaiah

Published by Parlour News

File picture of Kancha Ilaiah. | Photo Credit: The Hindu Raising questions on the BJP’s efforts to renegotiate with the ideologies of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, Dalit rights activist Kancha Ilaiah said that the government’s perceived tacit support to the recent Central Board of Film Certification’s (CBFC) action against ‘Phule’ movie will hurt the OBCs, which the ruling party cannot afford. He also raised questions on India’s feminist movement for not taking a public stance against the objections taken about the portrayal of Savitribai Phule. Also Read | ‘Phule’ and censorship: How Bollywood’s elite resist caste-conscious cinema “Here is a woman leader, a woman social reformer who had no parallel in India. I’m still waiting for the entire feminist response to Savitribai’s portrayal. After the controversy over the film, I have not seen large feminist groups talk about it,” he said. He was speaking to The Hindu in an exclusive interview on the background of the recent release of ‘Phule’, the biopic on Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule. “Mahatma Jyotiba Phule …

Talk on ‘Gender Justice and Feminist Future’ at Bharat Summit in Hyderabad

Talk on ‘Gender Justice and Feminist Future’ at Bharat Summit in Hyderabad

Published by Parlour News

Congress leaders Salman Khursheed, former Union Minister Pallam Raju and women panelists Parnika Reddy, Monica Fein, Undram Chinbat, and Ann Linde, at a panel discussion on ‘Gender Justice and a Feminist Future’ during the Bharat Summit, in Hyderabad on Friday. | Photo Credit: NAGARA GOPAL Hyderabad Invisibilising women in policy making, sexual harassment, women in STEM education and advocating tax incentives that would lead to an increase in women’s employment, were key areas of discussion at the Bharat Summit in Hyderabad on Friday. ‘Gender Justice and a Feminist Future’, a panel discussion, saw Minister for Women Affairs, Republic of Panama, Maria Alejandra Panay, underscoring the challenges that women in Latin America face, including sexual harassment. “One in three women experience sexual harassment. And many indigenous, migrant, and young women remain invisible in mainstream policy making,” she said. Others like Argentinian politician Monica Fein touched upon the importance of a more inclusive leadership, and women in leadership positions. “We just don’t want to support men — we want to lead. Leadership and equality must include gender-diverse …

Kritika Kamra: ‘Not enough to post online and call yourself a feminist’

Kritika Kamra: ‘Not enough to post online and call yourself a feminist’

Published by Webster

Kritika Kamra has never been one to shy away from bold choices—be it in television, films, or the digital space. With her next project, Saare Jahan Se Acha, recently announced as part of Netflix’s upcoming slate, the actress continues her stay with her stand to tell stories that place women at the center. In an industry where meaningful female representation is still an ongoing battle, Kritika believes that actresses have a responsibility to champion narratives that do more than just check the feminist box. She speaks about why it’s important to back projects that truly empower women and how her career choices reflect that belief. Kamra believes true feminism goes far beyond online hashtags and posts.  “Feminism is not something you post about on social media and leave at that. It’s about real-world action. Armchair feminism doesn’t work – you have to walk the talk. It’s not enough to share a post with a hashtag and call yourself a feminist. We need to constantly make the right choices in the roles we take, speak up …

Tanishaa Mukerji calls India ‘most feminist country in world’: There is so much respect for women in our culture | Bollywood

Tanishaa Mukerji calls India ‘most feminist country in world’: There is so much respect for women in our culture | Bollywood

Published by Webster

Bigg Boss 7 runner-up and actor Tanishaa Mukerji shared her thoughts on feminism in an interview with Hauterrfly. According to Tanishaa, feminism is an American term, and the Western concept of feminism does not align with India’s cultural values. (Also Read: Tanishaa Mukerji says constant comparisons with sister Kajol ‘do not bother her’: I got so much privilege) Tanishaa Mukerji shares her views about feminism. Tanishaa on feminism Tanishaa stated that she doesn’t believe in the term “feminism” and added, “This word has come from America, which is the most non-feminist country. I am sorry, but what kind of country is it where women are not allowed to have abortions in certain states? A woman has not become president. For years, women were not allowed to vote, and you think you have freedom there? India is the most feminist country in the world.” In contrast, Tanishaa highlighted India’s respect for women, stating that the country has a much stronger culture of reverence for women. “Yes, we have issues, but it’s not because women don’t have …

Javed Akhtar: ‘Though a feminist, I haven’t written a woman-led script’

Javed Akhtar: ‘Though a feminist, I haven’t written a woman-led script’

Published by Webster

It’s almost impossible to sum up 80 years in a few words, especially when it has been as wholesome a life as Javed Akhtar’s. But his sterling career of 50-plus years has shown that the writer-lyricist has a way with words, an enviable knack for turning life’s harsh truths into poetry. So, as he celebrates his 80th birthday today, how would he describe his life in one word? “Fulfilling,” he smiles. “My greatest joy is that both my children [Zoya and Farhan Akhtar] are doing so well and have earned so much respect in the film industry. When I look back, I feel life has been kind to me. I’ve had bitter and disappointing moments, but there have been happy, fulfilling and wholesome ones too. I’ve lived life on my own terms,” he reflects. Regrets are part of everyone’s life, and the famed screenwriter-lyricist has had his share too. “I wasted a lot of time, which I could have used in a constructive manner. I could have learned any language or a musical instrument. I …

A ‘feminist’ who became India’s first female teacher – India TV

A ‘feminist’ who became India’s first female teacher – India TV

Published by Webster

Image Source : X Savitribai Phule was born on January 3, 1831 Savitribai Phule was a social reformer, notable educationalist and a poet from Maharashtra. Her legacy rings the true tones of feminism because she not only uplifted herself through education, but also established India’s first school for girls to make education inclusive. Savitribai was married when she was only 9 years old and her husband Jyotirao Phule was 12 years old. Read on to know how Savitribai became the first female teacher of India.  Savitribai Phule jayanti Savitribai was born on January 3, 1831, in a family of farmers in Naigaon village in Satara district, Maharashtra. To honour her contributions to women’s education and social equality, Savitribai’s birthday is celebrated as Women’s Education Day.  India’s first feminist In 19th century a woman seeking education and social reform was not a piece of cake. She overcame several hurdles on her way. Her husband, Jyotirao, was also a social reformer and he was the one who taught 9-years-old Savitribai to read and write.  In support with her …

Music Review: CHVRCHES’ Lauren Mayberry makes feminist pop on debut solo album, ‘Vicious Creature’

Music Review: CHVRCHES’ Lauren Mayberry makes feminist pop on debut solo album, ‘Vicious Creature’

Published by Parlour News

NEW YORK — Lauren Mayberry, frontwoman of the Scottish synth-pop band CHVRCHES, liberates herself from preconceptions on a punchy debut solo album, “Vicious Creature.” Music Review: CHVRCHES’ Lauren Mayberry makes feminist pop on debut solo album, ‘Vicious Creature’ Mayberry’s striking voice has been central to CHVRCHES’ electro-pop since the trio started making music together in 2011. It is sharp and distinct, a key instrument used alongside Iain Cook and Martin Doherty’s synths to create a sound that has endured throughout the subsequent decade. Now, her soprano voices feelings and experiences uniquely hers — adding a fire to a project all about ownership. “Must be something in the air,” she declares on the album’s opening track. And later: “Too much noise might leave you on your own.” Throughout the album, she explores past relationships, family, the music industry and memory. “I killed myself to be one of the boys,” she sings on “Sorry, etc.” bluntly listing the concessions she’s had to make in order to exceed in the male-dominated music business. “I bit my tongue to …

International Men’s Day 2024: Aditya Kashyap to Rocky Randhawa, Bollywood’s best on-screen male feminist icons

International Men’s Day 2024: Aditya Kashyap to Rocky Randhawa, Bollywood’s best on-screen male feminist icons

Published by Webster

The contemporary narrative surrounding men, has been for a while dunked in murky waters where the bad almost always outweighs the good. In a world of Kabir Singhs and Animals — narratives lived out in real life or eventually emulated on screen — there is something extraordinary and laudable about the Aman Mathurs and Aditya Kashyaps hidden in plain sight. And while sometimes it may feel like it’s hard to come across them IRL, we always have the movies to thank, allowing us to escape into our dreams, where respect and love doesn’t need to be demanded, but is served on a silver platter. So as the world celebrates International Men’s Day, we must take congnisance of these Bollywood-bred on screen gems that have in some way or the other, contributed to the idea of ‘the perfect man’. Kal Ho Naa Ho’s Aman Mathur to Jab We Met’s Aditya Kashyap: Fictional men written by women, Bollywood edition Aman Mathur, Kal Ho Naa Ho Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003) isn’t the first film Shah Rukh Khan …