Many of us have grown up watching our mothers, aunts, and other female members of the family serve and stand on the side while the male members enjoy their meals. Even when guests arrived, it was always the women who ate at the end, after everyone else was done and left the house.
Several people online were reminded of such incidents when pictures from a dinner scene at Sourav Ganguly’s home went viral. According to NDTV, the Home Minister, Amit Shah, was visiting Kolkata and had dinner at the BCCI President’s home.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah met with BCCI chief Sourav Ganguly and had dinner with him at his residence in Kolkata, West Bengal pic.twitter.com/dCn3TkgsT1
— ANI (@ANI) May 6, 2022
In one particular picture, it is seen how the men are enjoying the meal while women are serving them. Even Sourav Ganguly’s wife, Dona Ganguly, who is an acclaimed Odissi dancer herself, stands and watches.
All men are eating together.
An internationally acclaimed one of the finest dancers of India is standing there watching them eating.
Dona Ganguly is hosting Amit Shah. Not Sourav. pic.twitter.com/fDfKXVKMSf
— 🧩 Dr.Snow ❄️ (@zyadaahorahahai) May 6, 2022
On one hand there were people who highlighted that it was the women’s ‘choice’ to serve the men and that it’s more of a cultural thing.
I eat with my family on Daily basis even before but if there are large number of guests who need to carefully served ,I make it a point to look after the arrangements.
By no means I m any less than my husband it’s just my area of expertise.Why make everything about men vs women ?— PrettyWorld (@PrettyWorldd) May 6, 2022
What’s wrong in that? This is the culture of India. Atithi Devo Bhava.
— RABINARAYAN DASH (@rabidashctc) May 7, 2022
Some facts of Indian households stay hidden and not discussed. Women of many households do it.. my mom, my MIL, too. Neither my father, nor my FIL like it and keep asking them to join but they somehow find it easier to manage, or so they say. (1)
— Anuradha (@boredanu) May 6, 2022
Common (not necessarily right) across many households.
Some are made to do this. Customs inculcated early – many times by other women – then tough to change as women are way more guilt prone.
Some want to do this. They enjoy this.
Some are on a no dinner diet! 😀
— Dr. Debadutta Parija (@parija_d) May 7, 2022
There’s an empty chair beside Ganguly with a placeholder plate. Maybe Dona herself wanted to eat later and serve as a hostess. If hijab can be a choice, this can be one too.
— Cheeku Dada (@cheekudada) May 8, 2022
But on the other hand, many slammed the situation and were reminded of scenes from their own homes.
Some in the comments are saying that Indian women have the expertise to serve the guests better by standing beside the table and not sitting with them and enjoying the meal 🤦♀️ I am sure the Ganguly house must have helpers who would have done the job well under instructions 😐
— yash (@yadsul) May 6, 2022
Even if she isn’t a great dancer, this shouldn’t happen.
Tbh in my home this used to happen 10 years ago. But once we kids grew up even my dad has realized this is not fair and my mom no longer does all this. It’s unfortunate that these people are stuck in the last century
— Amal (@amalthomasroy) May 7, 2022
Probably this is the scene of every Indian household. Why don’t men for a change serve women in their household & eat later after they done. Try!
— प्रियंवदा/Priyamwada 🦋✨ (@PriaINC) May 7, 2022
Sad to see her standing like that, she is a person in her own right, she could have very well sat at the table along with them 😏😏😏😏😏
— yash (@yadsul) May 6, 2022
Not right by any standards. We battle with malnutrition and anemia in women and girls. Am sad to see so many are justifying this practice. whether in the name of culture or practice or habit , it should not be tolerated .
— zoya ali rizvi (@ZoyaAliRizvi) May 7, 2022
It’s so widespread that most are blind to this anomaly in our society of women serving men unnecessarily.
— Tess of D’elhi (@tessofdelhi) May 7, 2022
Disappointing though expected in a all male gathering. Realization come from within ,shows how they respect their women .😞
— Naveen Jain (@sashabeebaba) May 7, 2022
There is no female guest that day at Sourav’s place who at least can sit with male guest. Position of women in India
— Shome (@shomeratnabali) May 8, 2022
What are your views on this incident?