February 9, 2013
MUMBAI: The new president of the Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS), Dr Indira Sharma, has claimed that early marriage is one of the solutions to curb violence against women. Psychiatrists have called her statements "provocative", "disgusting" and equated the IPS with a " khap panchayat".
February 9, 2013
MUMBAI: The new president of the Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS), Dr Indira Sharma, has claimed that early marriage is one of the solutions to curb violence against women. Psychiatrists have called her statements "provocative", "disgusting" and equated the IPS with a " khap panchayat".
Early marriages, "preferably in early twenties or as soon as the boy gets employed", are recommended so that "sexual needs are satisfied in an appropriate manner", Sharma said at the IPS's 65th annual national conference at NIMHANS, Bangalore, between January 10 and 13. Her speech was titled 'Violence against Women: Where are the Solutions'.
On Friday, she told TOI: "Parents lose 50% control on their child once he starts working. He has no responsibilities, has extra time and money. He can take to alcohol and lose his frame of mind and commit sexual crimes.''
The core group of the IPS, which represents 4,000-odd psychiatrists, will soon meet to decide whether to censor her speech or accept it in full for publication on the official website.
An unfazed Sharma, who also heads the psychiatry department of Benaras Hindu University in Varanasi, told TOI over the phone that presidential speeches are meant to address a burning issue. "It was a presidential statement, not a diktat. Every person has the right to an opinion," she said.
But many in the fraternity are not amused. Delhi-based psychiatrist Dr Alok Sarin said: "Discussions are on over her provocative statement." IPS member Harish Shetty from Mumbai said clearly education and awareness don't go hand in hand.
N Ashok Kumar, an IPS member from Cuddapah, said early marriage cannot solve any problem. "There are married men who assault housemaids. Moreover, how can a psychiatrist draw such a line for society? It's not our job to advocate such solutions."
The issue has been simmering within the IPS circle for a month now. Kolkata-based Anjali Mental Health Organization was among the first to start the debate by posting a message on a social networking site on January 15. "The IPS e-groups have been buzzing ever since," said a doctor. The focus of their discussion is on whether the presidential address should be censored or carried in full. "As per the rule, the presidential address should be uploaded on the website at the earliest. But can we, as a fraternity, endorse such viewpoints?" asked one doctor.
Dr T S Sathyanarayana Rao, who is the editor of the Indian Journal of Psychiatry, said he would need a written article from Sharma before uploading the same on the IPS website. "I have not got it yet. She has promised to send it by Tuesday," he told TOI.
IPS office-members said a meeting will be held within the next fortnight. "We may ask her modify her address or print a rider along with it," said Rao.
But Sharma is unperturbed. "Academia is characterized by difference of opinions. I have just given my opinion. It's not a khap diktat. I have only stated what I have seen as a psychiatrist," she said on Friday. "Marriage is a protection against crime. One of its advantages is that it is a socially acceptable channel for sexual desire. Ideally, both men and women should marry between 21 and 25," she added.
Stating that society had changed a great deal, she said: "Earlier, we had child marriages, which was an extreme. Now, we have the other extreme of late marriages. Some people delay marriage because they keep trying for a government job, some delay it for studies. But these are self-defeating and frustrating moves. Why cannot a person marry and still continue studies?''
Sharma said, socially and medically, late marriages are wrong. "Women are medically advised to have their first child by 30. So they should marry before 29. Moreover, your children should settle down by the time you retire."
Courtesy: TOI
