Conflicted: A History Podcast The Partition of India – Part 5: A Crisis Made Flesh
Nov 17, 2022
The podcast delves into the tragic experiences of women during the Partition of India. It discusses the widespread abduction and assault of women across religious lines as communities descended into chaos. The formation of a joint recovery operation by India and Pakistan highlights the horrific realities faced by these women. Personal accounts, like that of Anis Kidwai, reveal the deep trauma and societal pressures survivors confronted. The complexities of recovery operations are explored, shedding light on the lasting impact of this dark chapter in history.
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Women As Symbols In Communal Violence
- Partition's violence targeted women as symbolic repositories of communal honor.
- Attacking women inflicted lasting communal humiliation beyond physical theft or murder.
Sexual Violence As Political Weapon
- Perpetrators used sexual violence as a deliberate tool of coercion and territorial claim.
- Rape functioned as punishment, sport, and a means to demoralize entire communities.
Gandhi Comforts A Bereaved Volunteer
- Anis Kidwai sought Gandhi's counsel after her husband was murdered during Partition.
- Gandhi told her to channel grief into service, which led her to work in refugee camps.