'Taunted', woman seeks refuge with rights panel

BHOPAL: This real life drama seems straight out of the idiot box. Like in the saas bahu soaps aired on prime time, a woman who was allegedly tortured by her in-laws with jibes and double meaning taunts has moved the State Women's Commission seeking intervention and relief. The case came up for hearing at the joint bench of the state Women's Commission on Friday.
In what seems to be inspired from a tele-serial, a newly-married woman hailing from Guna, now staying with her in-laws in Bhopal appealed before the commission in a domestic violence case that her in-laws would not only beat her up but also used 'code- words' to taunt her. She was coached to learn the code-words and react accordingly.
The taunts were like that of the popular serial 'Kairi Rishta Khatta Meetha' where the mother-in-law would taunt the daughter-in-law with bitter-sweet sarcasm.
The woman, Kanika Sharma (name changed), had been married for only three months. She recounted how there were code-words for the way she should behave or else face the consequences. For example, 'bahu pani lana' (get some water) would mean 'tumhari pitai karenge' (you would be beaten up), 'bahu maike wale aaye hai, mil lo' (your family members are here, some meet them) would stand for 'manhus-kangal aaye hai' (hateful paupers have come to our house). Then 'chai lekar aana' (get some tea) would actually mean 'bahar mat nikalna' (don't come out of your room).
'kya powder laga rahi ho' (are you powdering yourself') would stand for 'pitogi kya' (would you like to get beaten up). Similarly, 'bahuriya kab se baithe hai aa jao' (daughter-in-law we have been waiting for long, come now) meant 'paani lekar aana lekin muh mat kholna' (get water but don't dare to open your mouth) and 'arrey rishtedaron ko chai-nashta to do' (serve your family members some tea and snacks) stood for 'ghar se paise ki baat karo' (ask for more money from your family), etc.
The matter came to light when an uncle and aunt of Kanika visited her and suspected something amiss in her in-laws behavoiur. Initially, they tried to take her away but upon resistance from her in-laws sought police help.
Commission chairperson Upma Rai said, "The matter is sensitive as the woman is newly-married. Also the woman wants to stay with her in-laws. The matter has been kept under counselling and would again be heard in the next hearing."
Rai also spoke to the in-laws, and concluded from their behaviour that they have beaten and threatened her.
Commission member Vandana Mandavi was also present besides Rai during the joint bench on Friday. 29 cases were heard of which 10 were related to domestic violence.