Let’s (Not) Talk About Sex

The Saudi king has waived a sentence of flogging on a female journalist working for a TV channel which aired graphic accounts of sex in the kingdom. [Link]

Fantastic, don’t you think? I mean this is the Arab world we are talking about; a woman researching on taboos in the Arab word (including extra-marital sex), openly discussing it on national television and then the Saudi King butting in at the right time. If Mahesh Bhatt had his way, in no time you would have a film on the same with Emraan Hashmi as the Saudi King and probably Bipasha Basu as the journalist, only to add the oomph factor.

On a serious note though; great for the journalist but what about Mazen Abdul Jawad?

The way I look at it is, Premarital Sex could be termed as a moral crime (if one chooses to look at it in this manner) but by no definition is it a societal crime and certainly not a punishable offence; unless and until it happened without the consent of either of the individuals involved.

But a sentence of 5 years and some 1,000 lashes for bragging about the number of women one has had sex with, reading a book titled 100 Questions About Sex, Using sex toys, showing sensitivity towards female partner, being partial to colour Red, etc – is quite lethal, no? Just imagine if the same had been applicable in India, then surely every other guy would have his arse black & blue and let’s not even talk about the over populated prison cells.

And what wrong did Jawad’s three friends do – being part of a group discussion? The poor cameraman was only doing his freaking job?

You know, such reality bites only makes us realize that grass is not always greener on the other side. We sit in our fancy offices and curse everything under the sun about this country but by God we are much better off here than those in other restricted corners of the world.

As conclusion, I would like to quote a line from Rang De Basanti – “Koi desh behtar nahi hota usay behtar banana padta hai” – and we should be thankful that we have the freedom to do so.

* Check out the in famous video clip, here.