I read an article in The Hindu (newspaper) yesterday, which talked about how Nursery Rhymes were sexist and reinforcing gender stereotypes, and how somebody was working to rewrite them as part of an effort in “gender sensitization”. An example given was the popular rhyme in which Humpty Dumpty falls from a wall and the King’s men and horses are called upon to put Humpty Dumpty together again. The person who is keen on rewriting this rhyme argues that seeking help from men, and not women is sexist. Now, I wonder who is being sexist here – the one who wrote the original nursery rhyme, or the one who can interpret such far-fetched obnoxious meanings out of its harmless lyrics.

Interestingly, such gender-bias-detectives have an issue only when the bias is against women. For example, another popular rhyme goes as follows:

If a preference for sons had been advised, they would argue that this rhyme encourages treating daughters as second-class children, and so should not be banned.

The rule in India is quite simple. If you are a woman, or from a “backward” caste, or a “minority”, you get preferential treatment, and anything against you would be considered sexist/communal and an assault on national integrity and unity. If you are a man, from a forward caste, or belonging to the so-called majority religion, you are an ideal punch-bag for secular politicians and mainstream media.