Repeated Disregard for Women

March 16, 2026

In India, the number of women exercising their right to vote is on par with that of men. Over recent years, we have witnessed a steady rise in the dignity accorded to Indian women. The concepts of equal rights and women’s empowerment have gained universal acceptance.

Furthermore, women have proven their competence in every sphere—be it education, the public sector, social work, politics, or even the battlefield. Yet, it must be stated without hesitation that Indian society has historically been patriarchal in nature. Women have traditionally been regarded as merely the “left half” of men. Regardless of how convincingly women demonstrate their capabilities, the male fraternity often continues to view them as the “weaker sex” and subjects them to neglect. Instances of such bias—where comparisons pitting men against women are drawn—can frequently be observed in the statements made by politicians, as well as in films and songs.

Recently, the Haryana State Commission for Women took strict cognizance of a matter involving rapper Badshah, who stands accused of performing a controversial song. The Commission had issued a notice requiring Badshah to appear before it on Friday. While Badshah himself did not appear, his legal counsel presented himself and argued that the rapper was unable to attend due to professional commitments; the counsel further submitted that Badshah had already expressed his regret regarding the song and, therefore, the matter should be deemed closed.

However, dissatisfied with this response, Renu Bhatia—the Chairperson of the Haryana State Commission for Women—has issued orders to the Superintendents of Police (SPs) in Panchkula, Jind, and Panipat to arrest Badshah and confiscate the singer’s passport. Meanwhile, echoing the stance of its Haryana counterpart, the Uttarakhand State Commission for Women has also summoned Badshah to appear before it and present his defense regarding this matter.