DELHI – 2:45 pm
Head office of Mystic World publication house
An employee running with a very confusing and shocking expression towards the
director room with a letter.
Sir, What should we do? We got a letter from Mahila Ayog (Women commission).
This is all because of our latest book “A Prostitute can become an Author”. They are
asking for the reason why we have printed this kind of book which is controversial
and sensitive matter and they want to know about the author of this book. If we do
not submit our reply within one week they will file the case of Defamation in court.
Subhash Ghosh (Director): Farhan, calm down! First, tell me about the status of the
latest book. Report me of all details, and then come in the conference room with your
Marketing team along with editors team within 10 min, we will have to hold a meeting
about the progress of books, then we will discuss the matter.
Farhan: But sir, this is going to be a big issue.
Subhash: Farhan! You have 9 minutes walk from to call everyone with data. The
meeting will be starting sharp at 3:00 pm.
At 3:00 pm, everyone is in the conference room. All the persons are looking
tensed and curious but the director is calm.
Director: Ok! Tell me the latest update about the new book (A prostitute can become
an Author) and the reaction of the public and their response.
Farhan: Sir, we have got two types of reaction on this book:
1 – Few people like the fresh contents of the book. This book attracts the attention of
youth and they show a positive reactiontowards the new thought of changing the
attitude of the prostitutes. But on theother hand, they are confused too.
Because in the first place we could not mentionabout the category of book whether
it is fiction or non-fiction that makes the public more curious.
2 – The rest of the readers of old aged people have also beenattracted by this book.
Most of them are women and interested to read this bookbut in a critic way.
Their perceptions have been aggressive after reading the book.
But there is one thing common among them that they all wanted to know the
Author’s name. Sir, we also wanted to know who is the author of this book and what
we will have to do if Mahila Ayog file a case against us in court. (Subhash ignored
the last content)
Director: Now, report to me about the sale of this book. How much we have sold this
book during last three months?
Manik (Sales and Marketing head): Sir, sales are satisfactory, even this is the first
time that we have sold around 100000 copies in 3 months after launching of the
book, and we are still getting more and more orders to supply copies of this book.
Sir, because of controversy, the sale of the book is better than other books.
Subhash: That’s good! as I had guessed earlier, after reading the manuscript of this
book my expectation was that the book will benefit me, proves true. Seeing the
currentsituation, the marketing team has focused on getting more publicity.Tag this
ad onallfamous social media apps and contact famous book tuber and get a
contractfromthem for the book.
Farhan: But sir, in this way, it will invite more controversy and it will harm on our
reputation too.
Subhash: That’s what I wanted. The controversy must attract the news reporters, so
they can run the bulletin about on this book. It doesn’t matter what they take it
positive or negative. What I want is that it would attract people’s attentionand they
may feel more curious for buying the book. I want hot and large selling of thisbook
in India.Seeing the curious face of everyone sitting there he assured everyone that
youshould not worry about our reputation and case of defamation, if any, can be
ignored. Turning toFarhan, he directed him to call Mahila Ayog and request them for
more days to reply to their letter. We will answer to them when the selling of the
book will reach on the high peak.
One month has passed after the incident took place, and as Subhash has planned,
this book attracted the news reporters and one by one they were discussingon the
contents of the book. They were also talking about unknown authorandsubsequent
controversies. Some channels were supporting the contents while someare not.
Whatever was going on,Subhash was able to earn his profits.
When the controversies were on peak, a few women groups have come forward
asking them to stop the supply of books. At the end of the book, the author raised a
few questions to the public and the government too. For which it has createdmore
doubtsamong the people about the author’s name. A fewof them have started
guessing that this book might have been written by a prostitute herself because the
author is demanding justice and rights for a prostitute.
Subhash called for an emergency meeting because they were not able to control the
anxiety of people anymore. Mahila ayog has already given ultimatum. Finally
Subhash announced a press conference, where he disclosed the author’s name.
Everyone was much excited to see that a book has become a burning topic now.
Whether it is positive or negative it has created chaos after all.
The day has arrived when the press conference was to be held. But Subhash was
Notlooking comfortable. Before the commencement of the press conference, he
called his subordinate, Farhan, and introduce him to the Author.
Farhan: Sir, He is the author of that book?
Subash: Yes!
Farhan: But sir Mr. Akram is the author of this company andfind no reason to hide
Author’s name. Some books of this author have already been published, then why
you are giving him a tag of an unknown writer.
Subhash: Is there any problem with Mr. Akram or are you disappointed to know the
truth?
Farhan: No sir, howcan I be disappointed with him. Of course, he is a good author.
Hisfirst novel is gaining popularity even today (hewhispers himself) after thatall
other books remained flop.
Subash: I want to keep it suspense which will increase the popularity of this book
that’s why I was deliberately hiding his name with his consent.
Ok, No more question now. Let’s go for a press conference, we should not be late.
So, they went for a press conference. Where other reporters what they expected
were waiting there. Somehow, Akram feels the anxiety looking at reporters and
Subhash was also looking a little tense as if he was hiding something.
Subhash starting announcement, Today I will disclose the writer’s name. (He pointed
his finger to Akram and says) He is the author of the book “A Prostitute can become
an author”. His name is Akram and you all know him well because this book is not
his first one. He has already written a few books earlier and his famous book as you
know is “Finding Angel”. I hope you all recognised him well.
Reporter 1 – Yes, I know him. It means he is the writer of the book.
Ok, then why you people hiding his identity? What was the reason behind it?
Subhash: Relax! He will give you all answers to your questions. And about your
question, I will answer your question with the reason. We want to make people
curious. It’s a simple strategy to know the public opinion about unknown authors and
at the same time of advertising too. If I am clear, then let me give him a mic to
answer for more questions. He will satisfy you all.
Reporter 2 – Mr Akram, what was your inspiration to choose this type of topic. Is it a
fiction ornon-fiction, please clear the confusion.
Akram:I am thankful to you for coming here. About the book, Imay say that it’s a
fictional story, and about inspiration, I may say that I have travelled at many places in
a search of new inspiration and last time during mytravelling period I got some
unique experience. Unknowingly I went to an areawhere I met a few prostitutes who
were alluring passers-by. I wascaught by them but anyhow I was able to move from
that place soon.After going far from there I took a deep breath. Then a thought has
struck to my mindthat I should write something about the life of prostitutes.
Reporter 3 – Sir, you mean that in the whole story Sitara is the main character of
the book is fictional! There is no character like that in the reality?
Akram: Yes.
Reporter 3 – Then sir, what you write in the end is all fictional and the questions
raised by Sitara in the novel about the government, women, society all are fictional?
Akram: (After hearing the question, Akram glazed at Subash seeking his consent in
the matter, Subash gave signal with his eyelids). Yes, Whatever I havewritten in that
book was all fictional.
Reporter 3 – But Mr Akram, do you not feel itinjustice to the public for makingthis
book popular. I think you have planned to create controversy among thepeople even
though it may harm you. You have simply chosen the word of fiction inthe novel to
end all controversies by using a single word i.e. fiction. It is the wrongway of
marketing because after this incident everyone will adopt the same strategy?
Akram: Hm… I didn’t mean it to do that way. Even I didn’t feel what I write…..it
will create this kind of chaos in society.
Reporter 4 – Sir, you mean to say that what you have written in the book is
acceptable to all.
Reporter 3 – Sir, Are you trying to promote prostitution?
Akram: No….. (He was feeling nervous and pale and glazing again and again at
Subash as if he was asking him what he had to say next…) It did not mean that I
have tried to promote prostitution. They are doing their works, I think it’s not good but
if they will not do then how can they sustain.
Reporter 1,2,3,4 – (All suddenly began shouting all together) Sir, are you supporting
them and supporting their work too? Do you mean to say that we should respect
their work??
Akram: No… (He was blank, what to say)
Silence……….
Subash: (Took the mike from Akram and announced) This conference is finished
now. Thank you for coming here and listening to us.
(He grabbed Akram’s hand and took all his subordinates away from there).
All of a sudden all the reporters started shouting and asked Mr. Akram to give a
proper reply. Stop Mr. Subhash, we are not finished yet. But they were already left
from there.
After this conference, this topic became hotter and now almost all the channels
covering this news started the debate with their experts. Not only Mahila Ayogbut
other NGO’s also filed writ petitions in the court against the publishing company.
Most of the housewives suffering from prostitution action were also against the
publishing company.
Now, they were summoned by the court for the hearing. But Subash and Akram
were much tensed. Akram shouted at Subhash, “Because of you I am in this big
trouble, I told you earlier not to make it secret because you have to reveal it in public
one day. But you are continuously ignoring me. How… How can you publish this kind
of content? I had thought earlier that you were a intelligent person, I didn’t expect
from you thiskind of stupidity. You are my friend and you are the first person who
has supportedme earlier. I respect your kindness that is the reason why I had
helped you,but this matter has become a big issue now. And what the hell, yaar, you
should show at least the manuscript of the novel before printing. If you have not
trusted meat least you should share the manuscript with a trustable person. Now
what shouldwe do”?
Subash: Don’t shout at me I did not understand that this matter will become so big?
Akram: Common! Subhash, didn’t you read the whole manuscript? Don’t tell me that
you have not read it? At the end of the novel protagonist is blaming society and even
blaming the government too. She is suggesting change. You know what happens
when someone asking change means. I know it’s not wrong but it’s not about one
person change. The protagonist was demanding change from the whole society.
How is it possible and we are already fighting because of cultural differences? Do
you think a prostitute will ask and people will not object? This is a very sensitive
matter.
Subash: I have understood everything but at that moment I am only fulfilling the wish
of someone and I feel this will become a big problem in future. I know what I did
earlier was wrong but right now we would have to solve this problem. So please help
me inthis regard as you know that my house is at stake.
Akram: Sorry, I couldn’t help you anymore. You know how much the matter has
become so serious that we have been summoned from the court. I will reveal the
truth incourt.
The day comes when the first hearing is to begin. Everyone has attended the court.
In the courtroom, Judge allows the advocate to proceed the hearings.
Judge: You have touched a sensitive issue and create panicamong the public. This
is the reason why the honourable court has decided to accept the case for hearing.
In this way, the author ofthis book has challenged the Constitution. The law in this
connection will take its owncourse and treat this petition as per law. The next
hearing will start next week. Thecourt is adjourned.
In the meantime, the company had to shut down for some time because a large
number of women were observing dharna in front of the gate of the company to
press their demands. The family of Subhash also sticks to the result of what will
happen after the truth comes open to all. After all, because of this book, everything in
the life of Subhash was at stake.
During the next hearing, the truth has been revealed by Akram that he was not the
original author of this book. He was requested by Subash to become a fake author.
He is a good friend of Subash so he has accepted to help him. He didn’t knowabout
the original author because Subhash wanted to keep it secret due to somereasons.
After the completion of the hearing, the honourable Judge ordered Subash to be
present with theoriginal author. People were shocked to know that Akram wasn’t the
real author ofthe book.
Now finalhearing has started, this time people have gathered more than before.
Everyone was waiting for Subhash in the court. The actual reason for his waitingwas
to know the person who was about to come with him.The wife of Subhash also
entered thecourtroomto know about the actual author’s name.
Now Subhash with a lady who has covered her face with burkha entered the court
and thepolice helped her to take to the witness box.
Judge: (Ask Subhash advocate) Is the real author is present in the court?
Adv.: Yes sir.
Judge: Ok, then take her tothe witness box.
(The moment had come when everyone was waiting for)
Judge: What is your name? Please first show your face. Was the novel written by
you?
She opened her face cover and introduced herself, my name is Sitara.Yes, this
novelhas been written by me though I am a prostitute.
After hearing her true identity all the people in the court started whispering. And
some women started shouting, “How dare you come here? You dirty woman…
Judge: Silence…
Everyone becomes silent again.
Judge: Do you know what kind of case has been filed against you?
Sitara: Yes, I know.
Advocate of Mahila Ayog stood up and started blaming her that she and the director
of the publication house deliberately hatched a plan to disturb the peace of society
for their own benefits. Even Mr Subhash has given her money to create chaos. How
cana prostitute have the courage?
Sitara: Addressing the Advocate,“Can you tell me what wrong I have done”?
Advocate: We know about all your dirty works very well. For the money, cheap type
of people like youinducescustomers and give them hot and dirty services and such
breaktheir homes,now you are trying to challenge the law for money. Do you think
youhave that type of status in society?
Sitara: (Smiling) Sir, with all respects, may I know who is in the courtroom who is not
working for money? The honourable Judge is also doing his job for money. If I do
this type ofjob is for money howcan you say that I am wrong?
(Sitara speaking English fluently like a well-educated person).
The honourablejudge,advocates and other persons were surprised to know her
command over English.
Everyone in the courtroom started murmuring that how does shecompareher job
with the job of judge.
Judge: Silence… Mr Adv. Please focus your attention to the case only.
Adv.: Yes sir. Ok, Sitara did you write this novel?
Sitara: Yes.
Adv.: Ok, then tell me this is fiction or non-fiction?
Sitara: Non-fiction. This story is based on my life.
All characters in this story are real, if you have any doubt you can check it.
Adv.: Hmm… Then how do you know Subhash?
Sitara: He is my regular customer in the brothel.
Subhash’s wife stood up after hearing that and shouted, “No you are lying”.
Adv.: Mr Subhash, What Sitara is saying is true?
Subhash: (After a few moments of silence, he put down his head and said) Yes, it’s
true. SorryMahi (his wife), I had been a regular customer of Sitara before the
marriage.After the marriage, Ihad decided that I would not revisit such a place in
future, but Icouldn’t control myself because I was much attracted to Sitara for a long
period butshe has been a part of the brothel. I had never accepted my feelings for
her. When Iknew about her life tragic story, I felt sorry for her and I found that her
dream was to become an author. I thought I can do that much for her. Thinking
about herjob profile, I hidher name and she also accepted it. But who knows this
novel wouldattract so many people.
All the women in the courtroom shouted,“You home breaker,you have
once again broken a house”.
Sitara: (shouted) You allwomen in the courtroom and the women outside may I ask
you a simple question to answer, did we have ever crossed the threshold of your
house?
Everyone was silent…
“A rat goes to a snake hole and snakebite the rat” whom to be blamed, it is rat or
snake?
Yes, we do this dirty job but ever you have thought that why do we have to do this it.
If your husband or youth stop coming to our brothel, do you think that we would have
to continue this kind of job any longer?You should always keep in mindthat we do
not go toyour house. So, blame your husband not to us.
My name is not Sitara, my real name is Tara. I had once a very ambitious girl and
belong to a middle-class family. Parents and my only brotherare my small world
and I was happy with them. My ambition was to become an author so I was always
busy in reading literature. My famous idol was Rabindra Nath Tagore and
Shakespeare. I had been a topper in my school. I had already planned my life but
one daysome wicked personshad kidnapped me to sell me to a brothel and my life
had ruinedthere. My whole life has shattered, why it is because of some wicked
persons andyou know who are they, they belong to a well-to-do or rich society.
A few women asked,“What has happened with you was wrong but why should suffer
our familyin the matter”.
Sitara: Because those people are your so-called husbands and deviatedyouths. If
they do not come to the brothel and they remainfaithfulto their wives, why should
theyneed people like us? “Without demand, there is no requirement for supply”. So,
nexttime remember this.
In this connection, I have some questions to ask from the government or lawmakers.
In India, there are approximately 6.8 lakhs sex workers. Although it is not the correct
estimation and the total no. of prostitutes in the world is around 42 millions and I am
sure thatthis is not an accurate number because no one is interested to know our
actualpopulation. Why? Because people feel shameful while interacting with us,
even to talkabout us. Every government is required to say that the life of every
person is important for us. But we remain invisible or neglected because of our jobs.
You must have heard about the poor relief fund, Kisan relief fund, Senior Citizen
pension yojna etc but ever you have heard about the prostitute relief fund. In this
covidpandemic, everyone gets help from the government even tourist guides get
help but forour welfare, not a single person thinks. Not any health facility has been
provided to us, if any untoward incidence or violencehappens with us, no one gives
any attentionto us because weare prostitutes in their eyes. In this way, you treat us
like we are not human beings.
Do you all think, we are doing this job with our wishes.No, I have to say that most of
us had come here byforcefully kidnapping, selling, cheating etc. What is our fault in
it because we are of bad luck, our whole life getsdestroyed and ruined. Our jobs are
not illegal, wehave been provided voting rights but not a single party member come
to us for the campaigning in ourareas, our votes deserve valueless for political
parties and so they do not take us seriously.
We are indeed doing a shameful job but why those people are not shameless who
cometothe brothel.Why those Men are not isolated by society and gave
them a shameful name like us.
Honourable Judge, today, I have come here with some important reason requesting
you and society to consider us as human beings. I am not asking for respect for us
but rather blaming us you may please know our helplessness. Sir, my request to the
honourable judgeis that to please provide us some facilities or funds and an
institution which would help us to get facilities. We are also living people, we have
certain dreams, so pleasehelp us in this context.
The judge and all the people who were in the courtroom were silent for a few
moments. It seems that someone was showing a mirror to them.
Judge: After hearing completes, I will report to the government to discuss over it.
In this way, to my mind, Mr Subhash is not guilty.
