Gaali Bandh Ghar
| Native name | गाली बंद घर |
|---|---|
| English name | No Swearing House |
| Date | 2014–present |
| Location | India |
| Also known as | Ban on Abusive Words |
| Theme | Anti Profanity |
| Motive | Respectful communication |
| Patron(s) | Sunil Jaglan |
Gaali Bandh Ghar (transl. No Swearing House) is an Indian social campaign aimed at eliminating the use of sexist slurs and abusive language. Launched in 2014 by Sunil Jaglan, a social activist and founder of the Selfie With Daughter campaign, the initiative seeks to promote respectful communication and challenge societal norms surrounding abusive language.
History
[edit]Jaglan observed that men in his village Bibipur, frequently used abusive language, particularly towards women, during panchayat meetings.[1] His inspiration to start the campaign came after his daughter returned home asking him about the meaning of a curse she had heard on the playground.[2][3]
Motive
[edit]The campaign aims to establish communities, households, or streets that commit to refraining from the use of profanity. Village leaders officially designate these areas as "Gaali-Bandh" or "No-Swearing."[4][5][6]
Impact
[edit]The campaign has garnered support from women who are frustrated with sexist slurs. Many participants have reported that the initiative has helped them realise they do not need to use abusive language, leading to a noticeable reduction in their own usage of such language.[7][5][8]
Following an incident in which U.S. President Joe Biden used profanity towards a journalist, the Cosmopolitan (magazine) noted that Sunil Jaglan, a village sarpanch in India, is running a campaign to combat sexist slurs. The magazine highlighted the contrast between Jaglan's efforts to address abusive language against women and the president's use of profanity in the White House. This commentary attracted significant international attention.[9][10][11]
References
[edit]- ^ Saikia, Pari; Nabi, Safina (2022-01-26). "Cut the cussing: the Indian man on a mission to end sexist swearing". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-01-08.
- ^ Bhowmick, Nilanjana (2023-08-02). "We need a new way to swear … one that doesn't demean the women of India". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
- ^ Dsouza, Krystelle (2024-09-20). "His Daughter's Birth Turned Him Into a Feminist: Sunil Jaglan's Fight Against Female Foeticide". The Better India. Retrieved 2025-01-09.
- ^ "Gaali Bandh Ghar: A Fight Against The Misogyny Of Cuss Words". Outlook India. 2022-02-07. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
- ^ a b "Swearing Off Misogyny". www.readersdigest.in. Retrieved 2025-01-09.
- ^ "Of language and sexism: We are what we speak". The Daily Star. 2024-02-21. Retrieved 2025-01-09.
- ^ "वाह! मेरठ से शुरू हुआ 'गाली बंद घर' अभियान, घर-घर लगाए जा रहे पोस्टर; जानें कैसे सुधरेंगे लोग". News18 हिंदी (in Hindi). 2022-08-31. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
- ^ Kaushik, Mrinalini (2022-07-03). "This Gram Pradhan From Haryana Abolished Usage Of Gendered & Sexist Slurs In His Village". Archived from the original on 2024-08-04. Retrieved 2025-01-09.
- ^ "महिला संबंधी गालियों से मुक्ति दिलाएगा सुनील जागलान का "गाली बंद घर " अभियान - mobile". punjabkesari. 2022-01-30. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
- ^ "संस्कारवान बनाएगी 'गाली बंद घर' मुहिम, विदेश तक पहुंचा हरियाणा के सुनील जागलान का अभियान - Gali Band Ghar campaign will make cultured Jagran Special". Jagran (in Hindi). Retrieved 2024-12-26.
- ^ Kumar, Anuj (2022-09-02). "Counting curses by menfolk to keep toxicity at bay". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2025-01-09.