Neither the police nor the allegedly weak law is responsible for incidents like the Delhi gangrape; society as whole is to blame for brutal and heinous acts against women, opined singer Gurdas Maan, as he joined fellow artists in spreading a message against misogyny at a function organised by the NGO Malwa Welfare Society for Change here on Saturday. The function was held to mark January 12 as National Daughters' Day.
Poet Surjit Patar and singer Pammi Bai also blamed the unfair dominance of the male for encouraging crime.
"Recent incidents in Punjab and Delhi are an outcome of orthodox thinking of our society, which is dominated by men who feel macho at suppressing and overpowering women," said Maan.
Patar said change had to come from the grassroots. "First, we have to change the mindset of our family, and then think of society. We should start celebrating Lohri and other festivals on the birth of a girl child, and should give equal importance to both genders at social events."
He also recited his poem 'Ik rukh nu jadon agg laggi', which finds a link between the condition of women and environment.
Pammi Bai said promoting culture "in the true sense" would help save the youth from degeneration, and artists would have to realise their responsibility. "Severe drug addiction, dishonor to women are perpetuated through songs. This was never part of our culture." he said.
{{/usCountry}}Pammi Bai said promoting culture "in the true sense" would help save the youth from degeneration, and artists would have to realise their responsibility. "Severe drug addiction, dishonor to women are perpetuated through songs. This was never part of our culture." he said.
{{/usCountry}}"Singers should stop singing anti-women and obscene songs that provoke crime. Talks of changing the world cannot go with such vulgarity perpetuated through such songs," said poet Zafar Chintak.
A satirical movie on drug addiction -- 'Lag gi nazar Punjab nu' -- directed by Balraj Sagar was released on the occasion.
Senior superintendent of police Harcharan Singh Bhullar was also present.
Students of schools and colleges participated in poster-making and cultural dance competitions.