--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It must be said here that ‘Bharat Mata ki…" description: "\"“It must be said here that ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ is not an attribute of patriotism, but of deep patriarchy. Extreme mother-love is a camouflage for extr..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d6/romila-thapar-25720_civil-war_it-must-be-said-here-that-bharat-mata-ki_2799177.jpg" --- # It must be said here that ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ is not an… ![“It must be said here that ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ is not an attribute of patriotism, but of deep patriarchy. Extreme mother-love is a camouflage for extreme misogyny. Over the past few years in India, the nature of the violence inflicted on women during rapes, riots and caste retributions is of an…” quote by Romila Thapar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d6/romila-thapar-25720_civil-war_it-must-be-said-here-that-bharat-mata-ki_2799177.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d6/romila-thapar-25720_civil-war_it-must-be-said-here-that-bharat-mata-ki_2799177.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d6/romila-thapar-25720_civil-war_it-must-be-said-here-that-bharat-mata-ki_2799177.jpg) > ““It must be said here that ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ is not an attribute of patriotism, but of deep patriarchy. Extreme mother-love is a camouflage for extreme misogyny. Over the past few years in India, the nature of the violence inflicted on women during rapes, riots and caste retributions is of an order seldom witnessed before in any part of the world, except perhaps, in Bosnia during the civil war, or in the Congo, or in Sri Lanka during the final moments of the pogrom against the civilian Tamil population there. From the barbarity of the jawans of the Assam Rifles on Manorama Devi, to incessant mass rapes by soldiers in Kashmir, to the graphic and horrific brutalities (that were videotaped) on even pregnant women in Gujarat in 2002, to the Nirbhaya case in Delhi, there is no evidence to prove that devotion towards an abstract ‘Bharat Mata’ translates into even a semblance of affection or respect for real flesh-and-blood women. Indeed, here it is only literally the flesh and blood that seems to matter. Add”” [Romila Thapar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/romila-thapar/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Patriotic slogans can mask deep patriarchal attitudes that enable gender violence, showing a disconnect between abstract nationalism and real respect for women. **In simple terms:** National pride may hide sexism and violence against women. Key Takeaway Critically examine how patriotism affects gender equality. Themes patriarchal nationalism gender violence Mood critical concerned Type analysis political When to use this quote - policy debates - activist movements - educational curricula - media analysis Key Concepts feminist critique political rhetoric human rights Questions to Reflect On - How can nationalism be reframed to empower women? - What alternatives promote inclusive patriotism? A Different Perspective Patriotic symbols can also inspire positive social change when reinterpreted. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Civil war](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civil-war/) [Flesh and blood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flesh-and-blood/) [Pregnant women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pregnant-women/) [Sri lanka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sri-lanka/) ## Related quotes > [There's always been extreme misogyny in the music industry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alaska/there-s-always-been-extreme-misogyny-in-the-music-industry/) [Alaska](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alaska/) > [Those who call Bharat Mata as 'dayan,' who does not acknowledge Kashmir as part of India and use foul language against our PM Modi…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaya-prada/those-who-call-bharat-mata-as-dayan-who-does-not-acknowledge-kashmir/) [Jaya Prada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaya-prada/) > [My mind boggles at the amount of violence inflicted upon children in today's society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-morton/my-mind-boggles-at-the-amount-of-violence-inflicted-upon-children-in/) [Samantha Morton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-morton/) > [Abortion is violence; a deep, desperate violence inflicted by a woman upon, first of all, herself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrienne-rich/abortion-is-violence-a-deep-desperate-violence-inflicted-by-a-woman/) [Adrienne Rich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrienne-rich/) > [Violence must be inflicted once for all; people will then forget what it tastes like and so be less resentful. 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