Chitra Rai resides in the Dharmashala (Part 2) village of Gashpara Gram Panchayat of Dhubri district, and has been married to Dulal Rai for nearly 20 years. Her only daughter is studying in the 10th standard. However, Chitra’s married life was not a pleasant one as Dulal Rai always suppressed her and she never permitted her to go anywhere.
Although there is a sangha in Dharmasala Part 2, it was not active and not associated with the federation. But in 2021-22 the block federation started a drive to activate defunct sanghas under their jurisdiction. In this connection, they had been organising a series of activities like meeting with sanghas and meeting with men and women together to discuss issues of violence against women as well as give information about the Nari Adalat of the block Mahasangha.
Despite her desperation to attend these meetings, Chitra stays at home in a gloomy state as her husband refused to allow her to go out. One day, when her husband was out, Chitra grabbed the opportunity and went to a meeting. On that specific day, different types of violence against women, including physical and mental torture, as well as human rights issues, was discussed at the meeting. Chitra listened attentively and tried to connect all this information to her life. She began to realise the mental torture her husband had been putting her through.
When her husband found out that she had gone for a meeting, he scolded her and warned her not to do this again. But the meeting had changed something in Chitra and she told him she would go again as it was an opportunity to learn many things. Her husband became furious and started to hit her.
On 10 May 2022, Mamoni Sangha held a meeting, which Chitra attended. At the meeting she narrated her circumstances and spoke about how she had been dealing with mobility issues ever since she was married. She said that she had never got the freedom and security she deserved.
A few weeks later, the federation convened another community gathering, and this time included both men and women. Dulal Roy, Chitra’s husband attended this meeting. Violence against women, the prevalent gender discrimination in society and the community’s responsibility in bringing about the required changes, were topics covered in the discussions. In the middle of the discussion, federation members asked women who had experienced violence to raise their hands. Chitra was one of the seven women who raised their hands. Additionally, the members of the federation talked about how restricting the freedom of choice of women is a violation of human rights and that society has no authority to do so.
The federation members also visited Chitra’s home and had a discussion with Duala Roy about the same matter. Finally, Dulal Roy gave his word to the members that he would not misbehave with Chitra as he had been doing so far. Following this, Chitra began to regularly attend the sangha meetings and the federation’s programmes. She encouraged other Mamoni sangha members to contribute annual membership dues to the federation. Due to Chitra’s efforts, the federation now receives regular payments from 10 additional members, including herself. Chitra has become a member of Nari Adalat of Dharmajyoti Block Mahasangha.