Tanishaa Mukerji recently made a bold statement about feminism during an exclusive conversation with Hauterrfly’s The Male Feminist. Speaking with host Siddharth Aalambayan, Tanishaa expressed her belief that feminism, as a concept, originates from the West and does not align with India’s cultural values, she also shared how the Hindu culture is ingrained in respecting women.
Tanishaa Mukerji’s Views on Feminism
When Siddharth mentioned actress Bhagyashree’s perspective on feminism—that it is not about rejecting femininity but about embracing confidence and strength, Tanishaa disagreed with the term entirely. “I don’t believe in this word, feminism. Because yeh America se aaya hai (it comes from America), and that is the most non-feminist country,” she stated. She argued that the United States, despite its image of progressiveness, has not allowed women the same rights historically. “Look at the country, there are states where abortion is still not allowed, they have never had a female president, and for years, women weren’t even allowed to vote. And you think they have freedom?” she questioned. Tanishaa emphasized that while India has its own set of issues, they do not stem from a lack of respect for women in its cultural roots.
Tanishaa Mukerji pointed out that Indian traditions, particularly in Hinduism, inherently respect women. “In Hinduism, respect for women is ingrained. Aap apni maa ko respect nahi karte ho? Ek thappad milegi! (If you don’t respect your mother, you’ll get slapped!).” She suggested that societal issues related to women’s rights in India are a result of external influences, including colonial history.
“Because of the British, humara culture kharab ho gaya hai (our culture was corrupted). And because of overpopulation, our society has deteriorated. But crime is a result of societal issues, not our culture.”
She further illustrated her point by referring to Hindu mythology, saying, “Krishna never disrespected Radha, Shiva never disrespected Parvati. So, disrespect towards women is not in our culture.” ‘Men Protect Women, Not Disrespect Them’
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Tanishaa also spoke about the dynamics between men and women in Indian households, challenging modern interpretations of patriarchal structures. “In earlier times, men would hand over their entire salaries to their mothers or wives. Even today, this continues in many homes. If a man keeps his wife or mother away from certain discussions, it’s not because he doesn’t respect their opinion. Nahi, aisa nahi hai. (No, it’s not like that.) He is protecting them.”
She concluded by saying that Indian culture has “fine lines” in how men and women interact, which should not be mistaken for inequality.