If Women Have to Step Aside, What Happens to the Statue of Liberty?
The Eiffel Tower is usually a symbol of Paris, romance and the universal appeal of France. But during a recent visit by a Hindu religious delegation, it found itself at the centre of a very different conversation.
The controversy arose after female employees at the Eiffel Tower were reportedly asked to leave their workstations or stay out of sight during a private visit by a BAPS Hindu delegation. Some women were reportedly replaced by male colleagues. The incident led to a staff protest and an investigation by Paris authorities. BAPS later apologised for any pain or inconvenience caused.
The cartoon takes that episode and gives it an international punchline.
The Statue of Liberty looks rather worried and asks, in effect: “Thank goodness they didn't visit me. Otherwise, where would I go?”
It is the kind of question only a cartoon can ask without needing a diplomatic briefing.
After all, Lady Liberty is one of the world's most recognisable symbols of freedom. She has been standing there for generations, holding her torch high and welcoming people from across the globe.
So imagine her concern when another landmark suddenly finds itself having to explain why its female employees were asked to step aside.
The irony is almost too perfect.
Religious traditions may have their own rules and practices, but when those practices affect workers in a public institution, the question inevitably becomes bigger than one private visit: Where does accommodation end and discrimination begin?
Perhaps the Statue of Liberty is simply relieved that nobody has asked her to move out of the frame.
After all, she has been standing there for more than a century.
And she probably intends to stay.
Cartoon by : Kirtish Bhatt
No comments:
Post a Comment