By Peerzada Mohsin Shafi

On October 15th each year, the International Day of Rural Women is celebrated globally, offering a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the unique challenges faced by women, particularly in rural communities.

This day serves as an ideal moment to deepen our understanding of their struggles and it feels especially fitting to explore these issues through the lens of Heart Lamp, Selected Stories by Banu Mushtaq.

After reading Heart Lamp, a powerful collection originally written in Kannada by Banu Mushtaq, a distinguished lady advocate and the recipient of the prestigious Best Booker Prize in 2025, I found myself profoundly moved by how the book resonates with the social realities of Kashmir.

Mushtaq's storytelling is not only masterful but also deeply relevant, offering an honest portrayal of the multifaceted hardships faced by women in society. The language, tone and perspective she employs transcend regional boundaries, making the narrative universally applicable.

Each chapter of Heart Lamp struck a personal chord, drawing stark parallels to the struggles women face here in Kashmir. The stories are more than literary works. They act as a mirror to our own societal issues, shedding light on the silent battles women fight every day.

On this International Day of Rural Women, it is the perfect time to immerse ourselves in Mushtaq's poignant storytelling. The book becomes not just a reflection of women's struggles but a powerful call for moral awakening. It urges us to confront the harsh realities of gender inequality and challenges us to rethink our attitudes and actions.

There is no better time than today to engage with this work and reflect on the urgent need for change in how we treat and empower women, particularly in rural and marginalized communities.

The very first chapter,“Stone Slabs for Shaista Mahal,” sets a powerful tone. The story narrates the plight of a woman with many children, focusing on the eldest daughter who, despite her brilliance is denied further education and forced to care for her younger siblings.

The author in this chapter recounts a visit of one lady to her husband's colleague's house, where the man had once showered praise on his wife, claiming he loved her enough to build a palace like the Taj Mahal for her. Yet, shockingly, after the wife's death in childbirth, he quickly remarried without waiting for few months and without regard for the children of the first marriage.

This stark contrast between words and actions reveals a toxic selfishness prevailing in society, where empty promises overshadow true compassion. It reflects the brutal reality that emotions and responsibilities are often neglected, turning humanity into something barbaric.

This reality resonates deeply with the situation in Kashmir, where broken promises and self-serving attitudes have become all too common, eroding the fabric of social trust and unity.

Kashmiri people often make grand commitments, offering words of encouragement and support, but when the time comes to follow through, those promises are quickly forgotten. This tendency is encapsulated in the saying,“Dammas seet chu Namaskaar,” which translates to“Respect and love are given only as long as a person holds rank, position, or benefits.”

In the chapter“Fire Rain”, the author presents Mutawalli Sahab, a respected figure who leads the Mohalla and Jamia Mosque Committee, positions that give him authority and admiration in the community. He is seen as a leader who resolves local issues, guides people, and often preaches about justice, fairness, and responsibility.

However, his image as a moral leader quickly unravels when it's revealed that he refuses to share his parental property with his sisters. This stark contradiction exposes a deeper hypocrisy within his character and highlights a broader societal issue.

Many Kashmiri leaders publicly advocate for justice and equality but fail to apply these principles in their personal lives. This is especially common among men in positions of power who claim moral authority over others, but fail to uphold those values within their own families.

Mutawalli Sahab's behaviour serves as a powerful critique of such leadership. It reveals the hollowness of individuals who preach fairness but act in self-interest when it comes to personal matters.

The chapter underscores the failure of many so-called leaders to create genuine change, as their actions often betray the values they claim to promote. It raises an important question: How can leaders speak of justice when they fail to practice it in their own homes?

Mutwalli Sahab's hypocrisy is not just a personal flaw, but a reflection of the larger societal problems, where entrenched patriarchal values and power structures continue to shape the behaviour of those in positions of authority.

In the chapter“Black Cobras”, the author paints a heartrending picture of a woman who, abandoned by her husband, is denied both justice and basic care. Despite her desperate appeals to the local mohalla committee head, the man she once called her husband marries another woman without ensuring any form of financial support for his first wife or their children.

The tragedy deepens when the woman's daughter dies due to neglect and poverty. In the wake of this heartbreaking loss, the community turns against Mutawalli Sahab, the man in charge of delivering justice, who has failed to uphold his duty.

This chapter exposes a grim truth about society and resonates with Kashmir as well, where women, especially those from impoverished backgrounds, suffer abandonment and their cries for justice are ignored or delayed.

The apathy of those in positions of power, like Mutawalli Sahab, not only neglects their responsibilities but leads to tragic outcomes for the most vulnerable. This narrative condemns the failure of those who are entrusted with safeguarding the welfare of others, especially women and children, whose suffering is compounded by societal indifference.

In contrast, the chapter“The Decision of the Heart” delves into the complexities of domestic life, focusing on a conflict within a family. Here, the wife resents her husband's equal affection for her mother, which creates tension and strife in their relationship.

The emotional turmoil reaches a point where the son, seeking peace and harmony in the household, arranges for his mother's remarriage, believing that this act will restore balance and calm to the family. The mother, despite her initial reservations, accepts the decision and the family begins to heal. Although, deep in her heart, the wife recognized that her constant quarrels with her husband were misguided, the moment for reconciliation had long passed.

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