Should prostitution be legalized in India ?

Well, for some of us the answer is quite obvious - is'nt it ? What is there to even discuss about ? In an ancient civilization such as ours......

I was reading this news piece in the BBC - India sex workers protest laws. What was the protest all about ?

"... law now proposes to "punish" people who are found in brothels for sex, among other things..."

I am not going to get into the moral angle of this profession (if I may take the liberty to use that term).

In the past fews years, the much abused SW's have come together in various parts of the country to form unions and associations to protect themselves and their way of lively hood. Something akin to union formation by industrial workers to protect their rights as workers, from being exploited by the employers.

This is perhaps, a very positive development since this single big step by itself signifies that the SW's no longer wish to remain in the sidelines of society hanging their head in shame. They no longer wish to be pushed around and pushed under. They would like their "employers" to treat them better.

The associations have time and again come together to protect their rights...

- when they took a huge May day procession in 2001, protesting the action by the Census Commission which included them in the list of beggars, vagabonds and street children.

- when they have educated and encouraged SW's around India, to refuse service (inspite of abuse) if the client did not wish to use protection.

- when they have come together to learn and spread AIDS awareness.

- when they have launched protest rallies to express their constitutionally guaranteed right to protest any government imposed law effecting them.

- when they have reached out to associations from the across borders to discuss solutions and common problems.

- when they have come up with measures to prevent trafficking of vulnerable woman

Like any other economic activity, this profession too has similar problems and issues that needs to be addressed by the government of the land. Governments in India have taken a very medieval view of this profession whenever they have been forced to take a stand on it. They almost always turn a blind eye to a profession which needs to be regulated by law and the rights of the workers to be protected from mafias and human trafficking goons.

With India being a very conservative country, this profession has been looked down upon for decades. And this has greatly hampered prevention of child prostitution and increased the spread of STD's.

Taking a liberal stand in this issue and recognizing this profession as an economic activity would greatly help the law of the land to step right in and sort out the mess.

Today, the government allows manufacturing of cigarettes but at the sametime has banned smoking advertisements and has passed laws ensuring cigarette manufactures display the "Statutory Warnings" in all packages. Somehow these two acts of government dont seem contradictory. May be we should take a leaf out of this book !

But the big question is, Is India and her people prepared for this giant leap ? Has Indian society attained those levels of liberal thinking that would enable forward movement on such issues ?

That, only the people can answer.