Freedom or free doom?

A shepherd kept his sheep in a barn and closed all the doors tightly after having let them graze during the day. The hungry wolves were not able to get at them during the day because of the watchful shepherd. And in the night they found all the doors of reaching them closed. 

The wolves hatched a plan to free the sheep from the barn. The wily and desperate wolves realised that in order for this devilish scheme to be successful, they must first mislead the sheep.

They must convince the sheep that being housed in a safe place under the protection of the shepherd is not 'safety' but 'subjugation'. So, they held a demonstration in front of the shepherd's house, chanting slogans demanding freedom for the sheep. The wolves organized a big rally, roaring around the barn for a long time. At first the sheep were sceptical, but the continuous lobbying by the wolves made the sheep believe that the wolves are really sincere for them. Gradually the sheep became influenced by the wolves and planned to join the protest. So they started butting the walls and doors of the barn, until the doors were broken and all of them became free. 

So they felt free and happy, and started jumping and running out into the open fields. The shepherd was left calling out to them, and warning them against the consequences but to no avail. 

The hungry wolves found the sheep in the open without a shepherd or a guard, and that night was a black night for the liberated sheep, and a delicious night for the stalking wolves. 

The next day, when the shepherd came to the fields, he found nothing but torn pieces and bones stained with blood. 

A story as old as time! But the slogans of freedom for women by the human wolves amongst us are very similar to this legend. When the human wolves saw that their access to the chaste women is impossible because of the protection of their fathers, families, and because of their staying at home, and due to the restrictions of the 'hijab and the niqab', they held demonstrations demanding their freedom. The goal is not their freedom, rather the freedom of reaching them and........ 

This is the reality of the movements demanding the liberation of women. I wish that our women could distinguish between well-wishers and manipulators; and have the good sense to not consider their protectors, as their subjugators. 

Sheikh Abdus Salam al Madani 

Founder,

Aspire College of Excellence (Chennai and Bangalore)