The Other Side of Silence

A while back I finished the book on “The Other Side of Silence”, by Urvashi Butalia. It was an intense, descriptive, and an emotional read.  Urvashi managed to talk to some people, that I imagine would have been difficult for individuals to unburden their heavy heart and expose their story. It was especially difficult for the women who faced rape and abduction. I was alarmed on hearing some of the narratives on these women, especially the mass suicide in Thao Khalsa in Rawalpindi, where 84 women jumped in the well saving themselves from either being converted, abducted, killed or raped. One woman, Basant Kaur jumped into the well, but it was so full she did not drown – she attempted this four times. Many women offered themselves up for death without no fear, as they would rather die than to be converted or raped. Once a loving community of Sikh, Hindus and Muslims living together, were now killing each other – it was heart-breaking to hear this and how could this have happened? The horrific event is still affected by many today.