Lajwanti : Stark reality of many Women abducted during Partition

Lajwanti : Stark reality of many Women abducted during Partition

By Rajinder Singh Bedi

Though for majority of Indians, Independence signified liberation from colonial rule, for the two states of Punjab and Bengal, the azadi was one of bewildering loss: of place and property, community, of stable relationships and of a coherent identity.  Over eight million people crossed the newly created borders of these states while half a million lost their lives in widespread communal violence. As it happens, the cost of Partition had to be borne mostly by women and children, the two most vulnerable sections of mankind. Lajwanti is a tale that reflects the stark reality of many women who were abducted during the Partition. The story is about Sundar Lal and his reunion with his abducted wife, Lajwanti. Set amidst brutal violence, the story explores the plight of hapless women who were abducted on both sides of the newly-etched border – and their subsequent rehabilitation. Bedi masterfully captures the emotional turmoil and psychological trauma Lajwanti endures, depicting her transformation from a vibrant young woman to a silent, haunted figure. Her inability to fully reintegrate into her former life underscores the deep-seated scars left by the Partition's violence. The story's title, "Lajwanti," meaning "sensitive plant," serves as a poignant metaphor for her vulnerability and the fragility of her spirit. In his dramatic story, Bedi points out the stark and shameful reality of the rehabilitation process. He reveals the many emotions at play: between a husband and his repatriated wife; of the many women who came back only to be rejected by their families; of women confronted with society’s misplaced sense of honour; of being told to commit suicide because they were ‘tarnished’ and no longer acceptable in the community. What I find different about this story is that we see Sunder Lal is more than ready to accept back his wife. This is quite unusual of the character, but it is a welcome sight. The author introduces complexity into the story when Lajwanti is returned and Sunder Lal accepts her with respect and starts calling her goddess. What Bedi shows here is that even if a woman is accepted back by her husband, all his respect and reverence is still dehumanizing for the woman. The story explores the shifting power dynamics between Lajwanti and her husband, Sundar Lal. Before the abduction, he is a domineering figure, prone to abuse. Afterward, he transforms into a solicitous caregiver, but this seemingly positive change comes with its own complexities. Lajwanti feels the new treatment almost more suffocating than the old, as it silences her trauma and reduces her to a symbol of purity rather than a complex human being. Lajwanti is never allowed to speak about her “black days”. She sees something queer in Sunder Lal’s eye which keeps her from retelling her experiences. Not being able to say anything, she resorts to sobbing. She wants back the normality of her days, and even if that normality includes her being thrashed by her husband, she desires it. But when Sunder Lal starts treating her with extra care, it does not translate the way he wants to. Instead of feeling welcomed, Lajo feels alienated and dehumanized by her new status of Goddess. “Suspicion took the place of joy: not because Sunder Lal had resumed ill-treating her but because he was treating her too well… Sunder Lal made her feel like something fragile, like glass which would splinter at the slightest touch.” Lajo wanted to be her old self again, redeem her right as Sunderlal’s wife.  Slowly though she realized that the Partition had enacted an irreversible split within herself, and she has lost her body for ever. If Sunderlal has accepted her it is minus her body, and she has to live a disembodied existence for the rest of her life. But the most striking line in the story and the one which I think is the crux of Lajwanti’s dissatisfaction is the line where she thinks that “She had been rehabilitated but not accepted.” In trying to make her happy, Sunder Lal had in fact shut himself down, refusing to hear her story. Bedi skilfully uses symbolism and imagery to convey the broader implications of the partition on personal lives. The barren land and the dried-up well in Lajwanti's courtyard become powerful metaphors for the desolation brought about by the political events of the time. The story subtly critiques the larger socio-political forces that disrupt the lives of ordinary individuals.  The short story also highlights how women are always at the brunt of violence, women are raped , abducted, forcefully married because of stigma of honour attached to them. It is believed if you ‘dishonour’ a woman, you are dishonouring her community, her religion, her people. "Lajwanti" takes readers on a thought-provoking journey, unraveling the complexities of gender inequality and the quest for identity in a patriarchal society. Bedi's powerful storytelling and nuanced character portrayal shed light on the plight of women like Lajo, who relentlessly strive for autonomy and self-worth. By examining Lajo's struggle for identity, this short story urges us to reflect on the enduring societal norms that impede women's progress and advocate for a more equitable and inclusive future.

Written by-

Suhasini Pathania

Content Associate