Satyamev Jayate: Aamir raises the issue of domestic violence

New Delhi: 'Satyamev Jayate' has created a separate space for itself in the hearts of TV viewers in a small span of just six weeks. Like every other episode, the seventh edition also raised an issue. This time the focus was on the problem of domestic violence.

A basic indication of what to expect from the show was given prior to the seventh episode and it was believed to be centred around the theme of ideal husbands. The opening address by Aamir Khan also hinted towards this when he said that the show has only male audiences. However, the humour was soon replaced by horror when women from different walks of life started to share their experiences of domestic violence.

Snehalata Jadhav was the first person to share her experiences on the show. She removed curtains from some of the widely held beliefs. A majority of people in the Indian society believe that the domestic violence happens in the initial years of marriage, but Snehalata's account revealed that she was undergoing the torture even after 15 years of marriage. Her decision of coming out of the marriage came a bit late, but it's always better to be late than never.

People who appeared on Aamir Khan's television show have instantly become famous.
Amisha Yagnik, a call center employee in Ahmedabad is the mother of a six-year-old girl.

She appeared on the first episode of 'Satyamev Jayate', which focussed on female foeticide. She had to go through six abortions in eight years.
Parveen Khan, Mauraina, Madhya Pradesh

Parveen's husband distorted her face as she failed to delivered two baby girls.
Dr Mitu Khurana from New Delhi also shared her story during the first episode. Her in-laws forced her to opt for an abortion when they found out that she is pregnant with twin girls. Mitu had to go through a lot of physical and mental torture during her pregnancy. She takes care of both her daughters now.
Second episode of the show focussed on child sexual abuse. Cindrella Prakash from Mumbai was sexually abused by one of her family friends. Despite being unmarried, she came on the show and shared her story.
Harish Iyer from Mumbai was abused by one of his relatives for eleven years. He tried to convey this to his mother twice, but she didn't believe him. Finally, at the age of 18, he could sum up the courage to say no.
Nazneen Tonse was abused for almost 13 years by one of her relatives. Becaused of depression, she got addicted to drugs and alcohol. Nazneen is now on medication for depression. She is from Bengaluru.
Ganesh Nallari is a textile and fashion designer from Hyderabad. From the age of 6 to 17, Ganesh was abused by one of his relatives. He is 34, but is still scared of getting into a relationship.
Aamir talked about dowry system in the third episode of his show. Komal Sethi from New Delhi was his first guest. She was tortured by her husband and in-laws for dowry. Her husband left her alone in the house to starve for days in USA. At the end, she had to seek help from the women's cell.
On Aamir's show, Santosh Kumar from Nawada, Bihar narrated the story of his 'Pakdawa Byah'. He was kidnapped while going to the college and was forced to get married. However, he is living happily with the same girl now.
Paramjeet Kaur Moom from Karimpur, Punjab.

Her parents had to take a loan to pay for her dowry. Her husband went abroad just a week after the wedding. He earlier promised to take her along. He now wants a divorce from her. Paramjeet is trying to get his passport cancelled.
Days before the wedding her in-laws demanded cash and a car from her parents. She convinced her family and conducted a sting operation on them.
Pawan saw Rani in the sting operation video aired on TV and decided to meet her. Both of them are happily married now.

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Satyamev Jayate: A voice against domestic violence

The seventh episode also questioned the role of ancient traditions in forming a patriarchal mindset.

Some researches and studies also support the presence of domestic violence in our society. A visit of Satyamaev Jayate's team to the Bhabha Hospital revealed that almost 40% of women admitted there were tortured at home.

Writer and councillor Rashmi Anand shattered the notion that domestic violence happens only with poor women. She had to go through it despite being from a very privileged family. Her courage paved the way and today she has become a successful writer.

Women activist Kamala Bhasin focussed the role of ancient traditions in forming a society with a male dominated mindset. She traced the roots of the problem to the age old conventions. She also explained how a so called male is supposed to behave in the society. She also stressed on the role of inherited property in creating a favourable situation for domestic violence.

The Prevention of Women from Domestic Violence Act was also discussed; however the makers of 'Satyamev Jayate' refrained themselves from getting into the technicalities of the law.

Shanno Begum of New Delhi also shared her thoughts about what is to be needed to curb the problem of domestic violence. She had been harassed at home and outside before she decided to learn driving as an occupation.

Aamir discussed the problem of domestic violence with the male members of the audience in the last segment of the programme. Meenal Jain ended the show with her heart touching song 'Gumshum na rahungi'.