“Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains.” Rousseau’s words, written centuries ago, continue to resonate with disturbing clarity in our modern world. They remind us that the chains which bind humanity are not always forged by law or politics; often, they are woven into customs, conventions, and practices that deny the most basic human experiences. In India, one of the most visible symbols of this denial is the veil. A piece of cloth, seemingly harmless, becomes a barrier between a woman and the world, between her body and the air, between her eyes and the colours of nature.

It is not merely fabric ~ it is a chain, a denial of liberty, and a reminder of how half of humanity has been subdued by the other half. The sight of a young girl, her frail body covered so tightly that her face is barely visible, is enough to shake the conscience of any observer. What crime has she committed to be denied the feel of fresh air on her skin, the warmth of the sun in winter, or the freedom to stretch her arms and embrace the world? She is not a criminal, nor a sinner. She is simply a child, born into a society where her gender determines her fate.

The veil becomes her introduction to a life of restrictions, where every step, every breath, and every opportunity is mediated by the guardianship of men. This guardianship is not requested by her; it is imposed upon her, justified by tradition, muscle, and the assumption that women must be protected, controlled, and contained. The denial begins at birth. In countless households, the arrival of a boy is celebrated with joy, sweets, and festivities. The arrival of a girl, however, is often met with silence, disappointment, or even sorrow. Families continue to produce children until a son is born, reducing daughters to mere stepping stones in the pursuit of a male heir.

The absence of a boy becomes a curse for the mother, a stigma she carries regardless of her own will or effort. From the very first breath, the girl is marked as lesser, as incomplete, as someone whose existence is tolerated but not celebrated. This disparity extends into every sphere of life. Nearly 40 per cent of Indian girls drop out before Class 10, with almost three million leaving school between 2019 and 2024 and dropout rates soaring above 20 per cent in states like Bihar and Assam. The path to education is littered with obstacles ~ long distances to schools, lack of toilets for menstrual hygiene, unsafe commutes, and the ever-present fear........

© The Statesman