Is our morality and sense of justice defined by the aesthetics that please us? The bazaars of Delhi have a lot to say.
In the mid-seventeenth century, Mughal ruler Shahjahan built a grand and majestic city in his beloved, Delhi. The new city, called Shahjahanabad, was supposed to be the epitome of art, culture, music, poetry, and beauty. There were streets selling cuisines from all over the country and some exotic ones too. Some streets sold the finest silks and fabrics that attracted tourists from all around. Amidst these streets and lanes was a street called Bazaar-e-Husn (‘The Market of Beauty’). Beautiful women dressed in stunning dresses would attract men through their arts – dance and music – and their company would be highly sought after. They held power in the city. People had to make appointments to meet them and even the wealthy ones could not afford the time of many women. Royal families would send their daughters and sons even to learn etiquettes, dance, music, etc. from them. They were proud queens of their land, having an honor that no one could ruin by their words or talks.
But if we see today’s time, we might find it hard to believe that the group of society about which we talk jokingly with our friends and in hushed tones in society, that group used to be highly appreciated. The Bazaar that used to be in what we call Chawri Bazaar of Chandni Chowk, Delhi today was shifted decades ago to the silent and vacant road on Ajmeri and Lahori Gate of Delhi, the G.B. Road. Being one of the biggest and, mind you, busiest red light areas in the country, today the topic of G.B. road and prostitution, courtesans (which is almost non-existent) is seen as a taboo in society.
People don’t want to talk about them, don’t want their kids to know about any such existence, and prefer to keep it that way. But such sheer ignorance of society hasn’t led to the death of this market or business. It continues to exist and thrive, even in times like the worldwide pandemic. Around 7 lakh women work in Delhi’s red-light areas alone. In Sonagachhi of West Bengal, around 40,000 customers make their way to the brothels on any regular day. Some economists believe that this industry is worth 8 billion dollars in itself in our country, and this is when prostitution isn’t legal in India and is frowned upon!
These stats are in themselves enough to tell that there is deep hypocrisy at play in our society.
But what is the aim of this article? What is the point of telling these things? There isn’t anything here that you, a reader, don’t already know. What am I trying to achieve by writing this then?
Well, my aim is something unique. A character from a popular Netflix series said, ‘We all are whores. We just sell different parts of ourselves.’ This line was highly appreciated by the fans and made them think about the nature of their work. Corporate employees trade their health and mental peace for decent salaries. Laborers give in their strength, sweat, and blood for a minimum amount of food and a roof over their heads. Factory workers trade their lungs and suffer the hazards of their work to keep their families fed.
My point by saying this is that in one way or the other, we all are selling our time and our lives to fulfill the needs of our lives. But we do not criticize ourselves! We do not abstain from helping people suffering some form of injustice in their workplace! We fight when we learn that young children are being forced into labor and work in factories and industries. We revolt when poor farmers are mistreated by rich merchants and authorities. But then why do we shun upon the people employed in the sex-work industry? What are they doing that we should be ashamed of or we need to maintain secrecy about?
We would feel pity when we would see a fifteen-year-old girl mopping the floor in a rich bungalow but we would feel disgusted when we see a young girl, looking out of the window of a pale, looking house that you don’t look at directly but steal glances equally. What morals do we work on then? Is our morality and sense of justice defined by the aesthetics that please us? The things we can talk about and be comfortable with.
Statistical reports reveal horrifying details of the health conditions (both physical and mental) of the women working in sex work communities. They are unable to get proper treatment, care while living in poor hygienic conditions and trying to survive with the minimum money they could earn. There are women who are forced into these works – being trafficked, being sold – and now living in tiring and painful conditions. The children of these women are stigmatized by societies, marginalized in corners, and almost forced to take up menial jobs and work. But there are groups in Delhi like ‘Light Up Foundation’ with their ‘Project Phoenix’ who are trying their best to improve the lives of children in sex-work communities and give them a future that the society is unable to provide or even think about.
Finally, coming back to the topic ‘Bazaar’. In today’s globalized market, we sell everything – from art, products, our bodies, soul, passion, money, thoughts, everything. This ‘Bazaar of Desire’ was not intended to tell you about the red-light areas and how they function. It was to create a trade here as well – my words for your thoughts. I gave you my words and now, you are to think about this and decide on my previously asked question.
Is our morality and sense of justice defined by the aesthetics that please us?
If you ever get the answer, you might be able to see this Bazaar in a different light and the people who work in these Bazaars as well.
