A private member resolution moved in the assembly by Congress MLA Ninong Ering, seeking leave for menstruating girls and women, saw some hilarious discussions. Most of the discussions led by male members of the house were extremely degrading. They were literally mocking the whole issue. Instead of debating and discussing the merit of the resolution, many were seen discussing useless things related to menstruation. The members pretended as if discussing menstruation in public is taboo. In fact, MLA Lokam Tassar was heard saying that discussion on such issue should not be taken up in the ‘holy’ state legislative assembly.
The whole discussion on the topic was absurd and it kind of exposed the anti-women mentality of many elected members of the assembly. Even as male members were mocking the resolution, the few elected women legislators also failed to rise on the occasion. They mostly remained silent and one who spoke also failed to properly put the point across. Many expected them to strongly counter their MLA colleagues even if they belong to the same party. But disappointing everyone, the women MLAs were mostly subdued. There is nothing wrong in discussing menstruation in public forum. People should stop treating it as some kind of taboo subject. Even though he later withdrew the resolution, Pasighat MLA Ninong Ering deserves to be appreciated for making an attempt to pass a resolution seeking leave for menstruating girls and women. He has set the tone. Hopefully, there will be more healthy debate and discussion on this issue in the coming days.