[1] Can it be banned? : I don't think we even need to discuss this. It has survived every legislation and instead of diminishing in magnitude, has actually prospered. Since it is closely related to basic human instincts, laws are bound to prove ineffective. Have we been able to , for example, ban sale and consumption of alcohol in Wardha district? An administrative ban on prostitution is just not implementable - period!
[2] Does this profession morally corrupt the society? : Since every town and city in India has a "red light area", this question is superfluous. If you think closely, very little of the corruption that we have imbibed in our life-style could be attributed to this profession. Some of our movies would have a far more corrupting influence and we don't seem to be overtly worried about them. 'Strong family ties' is one of the main pillars of our culture. I don't think it is so weak for us to get unduly worried. Do we decide not to send our children (say for higher education and greener pastures thereafter) to the WEST (where there is immensely more "social - gender -mixing") just because we are afraid that the society there will corrupt their morals?
[3] Does the profession exploit the poor and the uneducated? : Well, there are parallels and we don't seem to be worried much about them. Are we not trying to tackle the problem of "child labour" which seems to affect a similar segment of people? And oh yes, what about freedom to convert from one religion to another? Isn't this a problem restricted to the downtrodden? Has anyone approached you (educated and financially well off) to market their religion? So if we don't seem to mind people selling their souls why should we be so worried about some deciding to sell their bodies. If prostitution is legalised, forcible induction of nubile girls (who have been lured with other promises) will actually come down because it will be easier to detect and punish people who perpetrate such crimes. The traditional image of a heartless pimp (as projected by Bollywood movies) will actually improve. Legalising prostitution will remove the veil of secrecy (because so much hanky panky goes on in this vocation) and actually help the players involved.
[4] What about the fear of spreading AIDS? : By legalising this profession, we will be able to tackle this problem far more effectively. Every commercial sex worker (CSW) will have to possess a renewable valid licence. Appointed medical experts will actually be able to ensure that AIDS does not spread.
[5] Will recognising this trade be a blot on our conservative culture? : We look down upon (a) consumption of alcohol; (b) eating of non veg food; (c) smoking and (d) infidelity in marriage - as the worst that a person can do to tarnish the image of our conservative culture. All our epics are replete with multiple examples of all these alleged vices. By arguing on these lines, can we not be accused of selective amnesia?
Friends, I am all for giving this trade a legitimate status. The advantages far outweigh the minuses. Imagine CSWs getting loans to spruce up their place of business, being included in government national health care schemes, enjoying provident fund and other benefits, enjoying some schemes that will educate their लावारिस children and in general being able to hold their head higher than what they can presently do.
I predict that the number of commercial sex workers will actually come down once these changes are brought about. Now isn't that what we want to happen?
6 comments:
Yes i think it should be legalised. Although it is difficult to accept it instantly...but yes by doing so we are definitely taking steps to clean the society as we all know that prostitution cannot be banned..
Prakesh,
Kudos to you in taking up a very important and bold topic. All your arguments are extremely valid and I endorse it fully.
With so much of explicit sex available on virtual world on internet, with increasing marriage age, with economic compulsions of staying single it is high time we shed our hypocricy.
The custodians of high values should instead create atmosphere for strengthening spritual values which will sublimate the baser (though most primal instinct) desires into higher bliss.
It is only by persuasion - that these pleasures are transitory and ephemeral compared to long lasting ever new joys of spritual plane - we may create a more harmoneous balance of material & physical cravings and higher ideals of peace & contentment.
Prakash,
I hope you are also suggesting to legalise male prostitution. Many ladies will then heave a sigh of relief.
But seriously, I loved your article.
These are the ills of Human Social Animal Species . It is the oldest and will remain perpetual trade. After all it caters to one of basic need.
To legalise it ,is to regulate the practice and any positive regulation brings down the ills and can safe guard the stake holders.
Indian context is still engulfed with hypocricy,it will go to gradual course... but instead to give a license to run a trade a free service to cater needs to prositutes would be more acceptable for our democratic and political setup.
In my opinion, it should obviously be legal as it is I believe it is in some countries. I weep for those who are born/thrust into such conditions. Where is the humanity in not creating conditions of a "free" choice? Anysuch society should be ashamed of it's own moral tenets.
this is all abt BASIC INSTINCTS.whether legalised or not ,it will prolliferate.every male(including custodians) wants to enjoy if it is safe & does nt affect his family.
many females need change in monotonous life,and der r so many reasons & circumstances.for extramarietal affairs.
legalising prostitution may help in creating databases for research ,hiv manage ments,other health & social concerns,rehabilitation,undre age prostitution etc.
better to sail on safer side if u cant stop it.
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