‘I don’t want to be treated like a man, but a lady.’ 

This single statement carries the weight of countless debates, revealing the complexity of feminism in its truest form. Equal rights or more rights? Challenging gender norms or stigmatizing men? What, truly, is feminism? At its core, feminism is not about dominance or entitlement. It is the belief in social, political, and economic equality, a revolutionary idea that began in the 19th century with women fighting for equal rights.

But something shifted along the way. In the 21st century, feminism evolved into ‘modern feminism,’ a term that became synonymous with self-empowerment and personal achievement. Yet, somewhere in this evolution, the essence of feminism, the quest for equality, was blurred. The battlefield of gender now features not only feminists but also those who misuse its name, painting men as villains while claiming victimhood. This distortion harms the very foundation of feminism, for equality cannot be built on animosity.

Imagine this, a young woman slaps a man repeatedly in public, not out of self-defense but because she can. Is this feminism? A heated altercation in a restaurant spirals into a national debate when a woman demeans a security officer doing his duty. Is this feminism? Or a delivery worker falsely accused of assault, losing his dignity in the process—is that feminism? Such incidents reflect a troubling misconception. Feminism is not a weapon to wield but a lens through which we view fairness and humanity.

But let us not dwell only on the flaws. True feminism thrives in the everyday, in acts of quiet rebellion and compassion. A mother finding joy in cooking for her family, yet standing tall as an equal decision-maker. A father enforcing the same curfew for his son and daughter, refusing to treat his children differently. A teenage boy cheering for a women’s cricket team, recognizing their talent. A younger brother supporting his sister’s dreams, even if it means breaking traditional norms. These are the stories that matter. These are feminism.

The fight for equality is not without victories. In 2020, a milestone was achieved when women in the Indian Army shattered the metaphorical glass ceiling. They won the right to take commanding roles and receive permanent commissions, overcoming outdated stereotypes that painted women as less capable due to domestic responsibilities. The Court’s words were piercing yet powerful, reminding us that tying women to roles like motherhood or caregiving as their sole purpose perpetuates injustice. Equality, it declared, is a right, not a favor.

But progress does not mean perfection. In our rush to elevate women, let us not sideline men. Not all men are predators, oppressors, or oblivious to women’s struggles. Just as women demand respect, men too deserve it. Gender equality is not about trading one hierarchy for another, it’s about dismantling the need for hierarchies altogether. Elevating one gender should never mean crippling another. Reconciliation is the need of the hour. The gender wars, fueled by misunderstanding and mistrust, have fragmented our society. Feminism must invite men to the table, not just as allies but as equals, partners in the shared journey of humanity. After all, equality cannot be achieved without empathy, and empathy knows no gender.

So, should we all be feminists? The question pierces through the noise of modern debates, demanding introspection about what fairness truly entails. Feminism is not about badges or slogans; it is a quiet rebellion against the injustice that permeates society. Picture this, a crowded train with only one seat left. Would it go to the woman carrying life within her or the man whose years carry the weight of wisdom and wear? There is no universal answer, nor should there be. Feminism is not about dictating choices but unraveling the biases that shape them. It whispers that equity is not uniform but fluid, bending with context and shaped by empathy. Yet, here’s the irony, while some dismiss feminism as redundant, the very fabric of their everyday existence benefits from its ideals. Perhaps, in our rush to label and criticize, we have forgotten the simplest truth, feminism is not a war cry but a lullaby for justice, urging us to dream of a world where humanity thrives beyond divisions. And maybe, just maybe, the question isn't whether we should all be feminists but whether we are brave enough to challenge the prejudice we often call tradition.

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