A small group of women is deep in discussion in the Kalakshetra Colony apartment. They are middle-class, well-educated, well-dressed, informed, articulate, tech-savvy — empowered in many ways. They comprise professionals, entrepreneurs and homemakers and almost all of them have been engaged in some form of public work. Some confront local officials on civic issues. Others volunteer to teach, feed stray dogs, raise funds for a local cause — individual acts of kindness done with a sense of responsibility.
The Chennai floods marked a turning point, they say. “It was the first opportunity to work as a community.” A spontaneous assembly of women stood vigil on Kalakshetra Road to prevent flood waters from being let into their colony. Others came together to cook and distribute food, join in relief measures.
“That’s when we realised we couldn’t rely on the government for everything. We needed to jump in and take matters in hand, participate, work as team.” They grouped again to take on the management of an Adyar school.
Recently, they gathered at Elliot’s beach, two consecutive Sundays, to confront the larger issue of probity in politics and governance. Theirs was a women-driven cause — Women Power TN on WhatsApp. Their demand: Accountability of elected representatives.
They used street theatre and speeches to spread their message. They composed an anthem and practised a play. They went on FaceBook (Voice of the People), and began to tweet at #concernedcitizenscall and #reclaimTN. Their song-and-skit programme of protest at Elliot’s beach on 11 March drew more than 200 people, a lot of applause, active audience participation and hundreds of signatures endorsing their petition. The movement was placed on a sound platform.
Their “gaana” exhorts people to vote for clean candidates, say no to cash for votes, fight encroachment of waterbodies and fight “kudumba aatchi”.
“We have to aggregate supporter-numbers, take our message to all sections of people.” It’s a long road, but there’s no looking back. There were people from all across Chennai at the protest, they point out. Representatives of political NGOs spoke in appreciation and support came from several cities across India. Thirupathi prasadam has been sent to them, cabbies have nodded in agreement.
What next? Not electoral politics. They will remain “faceless”, so the objective stays in the spotlight. They will continue to talk to people, voice their dissatisfaction in public places. Feedback will decide the next event. “We will move with the flow.”
