You statement about widow remarriage makes no sense.
Of couse it is society which prohibited widows from remarrying. And if that prohibition was not cruel than what is? And yes that society was the Hindu society. And that makes them barbarians w.r.t widow remarriange (and caste system too) by the way. And what exactly are we supposed to see from the widow’s perspective?
You ask why Deepa Mehta does not show the plight of muslim women?
Why should she? Is it obligatory to show the plight of muslim women whenever one makes a movie about Hindu women? Is she supposed to write in bold letters on screen “The life of widows in India was/is bad, but hey, muslim women in burka are so much worse off so every thing is fine and dandy”
I will concede you two points, one, if she made a movie about muslim women she would be in very hot water, but all that means is that muslim extremists are more brutal than hindu extremists. There, are you happy now? Second, the names of the two main characters (Radha and Seeta)in Fire was an unnecessary provocation to Hindus. But I would not go out and cause a riot over it!
Lastly, your biggest problem is that you think that every one is out to get Hindus ie the NYT has an anti-Hindu slant or “Hindu bashes” or the international media is anti-Hindu.
The same sort of stuff was written when Satyajit Ray made movies depicting India’s poverty, or when any filmaker made a movie criticizing any aspect of hindu India society. They were criticized for showing India in a “bad light”. Is no one ever supposed to show any thing bad about India? Maybe only govt propoganda films should be shown abroad? Maybe Indians should only be potrayed in movies happy, dancing around trees, or as super tecno-geniuses out saving the world.

Your web site is a mirror of right wing US web sites which say pretty much the same stuff as you, except they use the word Christian instead of Hindu. All are virulently anti muslim. And all paranoid.

- I hope Indian Patriot forgives this “troll” for answering in his stead…but I have some experiences to share.

a. I grew up in a huge family that was supported by two women. My own grandmother had died. One was a widow…in the olde’ custom. Head shaven and draped in white. Living out of one room. Taking care of kids and such like.

The other lady was rumoured to have been my grandfather’s concubine. She was not married but lived with us. She was…a sort of “help all” kind of lady. I remember…very sweet and dynamic.

Both have since passed away..its been over 15 years now.

Come a newer generation. Aunt was widowed. Being my uncle’s wife..inherited quite a sum. Son is a minor. The larger family is very unhappy however. She is not invited to any family occation. The visitations she does get is from folks who know that she is kind of “lose” with her money. Constantly hear of her being….”that widow”…”inheritor of all that money”….”what does she want all that money for??!” In short, if this lady were poor…she would have been on the streets.

All in all….I have not seen a widow getting married in my extended family ever. And..rest assured, the family itself is highly educated and known. Upper middle class to extremely rich.

Sandeep, not certain what you mean when you ask for facts. Do you want facts that tell us “these are the realities”? That such brutalities occur at all?

Please help us with clarity.

In the meanwhile, I found this piece that may answer Sandeep’s question.

http://www.infochangeindia.org/fetaures8.jsp

If after this….one is asked to tolerate Gurumurthy’s “Swadeshi” chest thumping….THAT would be a bit much.

Tch tch! I’d rather if you argued with some facts on the table. Please return.