HEERA ALAYA

IN CONVERSATION

“We know of a baby who was raped;
the charges against this baby were that she was seducing men.”

AJEET SINGH and SANTWANA MANJU
Activist and Rescuer, Guria, IN

January 1st, 2021

Activist Ajeet Singh, honoured with the Mother Teresa Memorial Awards for social crusaders, is the founder of Guria, an NGO [non-governmental organisation] dedicated to combating human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of children and women. Santwana Manju plays a vital role at Guria as a rescuer and counsellor.  Ajeet Singh and Santwana Manju exemplify an inspiring commitment to their mission, and their unwavering dedication to securing a brighter future for children and women is nothing short of commendable.

Ajeet Singh: Yours is an extraordinary life. Tell me, Heera, why did you quit acting?

[Silence]

Heera Alaya: Ajeetji, I don’t particularly appreciate indulging in movie talk; it makes me uncomfortable. However, for you and for the young girls who dream of becoming actresses, I will make an exception. But first, let me clarify a few things.

To begin with, you can’t beat destiny. I didn’t have a clue about movies, let alone wanting to become an actress; I was academically driven. Besides, I was never enamoured by “reel heroes” (I never sought their autographs or photographs or addressed them as Sahib, Garu or Sar). believe everyone stands on equal footing, and I make no exceptions. Lastly, I worked in five film-hoods, [industries] all of which are like untreated sewers overflowing with copious sparkles to deflect what lies beneath perceived glamour and righteousness.

[To maintain the focus on my guests and their exemplary work, I will publish my complete response later. This serves as a transition into our conversation.]

HA: As a sensitive young individual, grappling with this level of toxicity and cruelty took a massive toll on my emotional well-being. At a young age, I decided, “To hell with the (mostly) illiterate, misogynistic, narcissistic, depraved, and impotent tadpoles,” and chose to walk away from the predatory pond.

My decisions focus on safeguarding my soul and integrity, which puts life in perspective. What I know for sure is that I am the sole hero of my life, sporting my punctured and dented armour and walking my talk (my life journey has the makings of a Hollywood film). Setting myself free is the singular best decision I have made—despite the enormous sufferings that followed, I am grateful to the universe for nurturing the qualities essential for honouring life.

Santwana Manju: Fearless individuals like you, who live their lives on their terms, are what we want, and courage and honesty are what people can’t bear. You are living life on your terms. Often, a person is 60 or 70 years old before they realise they were living to please people; by then, it’s too late to change their life.

HA: I appreciate your words of support and encouragement. Thank you, Manjuji.

[In unison] Welcome.

I have been studying the multiple forms of human trafficking and the different vessels employed to traffic victims. Your commitment and involvement toward trafficked victims are beyond laudable. Courageous and inspiring individuals like you are real heroes. It’s entirely my privilege to be in your company.

Santwana Manju and Ajeet Singh: [In unison] Thank you.

Ajeetji, how did you come to name your organisation Guria?

AS: In Hindi, Guria translates to female doll. Just as children often discard their dolls after playing with them, society tends to treat women in the same way—using and then casting them aside.

When you were 17 years old, you made an effort to support a sex worker’s children—aap ne dil ke bath mane [You listened to your heart].

AS: I connect the mind to the heart, emphasising the heart. I don’t concern myself with what others may say—if your actions are correct, you should proceed without hesitation.

Your family rebuffed your altruistic actions. Were their concerns rooted in your well-being or the image of the family?

AS: Like most protective parents, they [Mr Singh’s parents] wanted me to be safe and become a successful bureaucrat, which led me to Delhi University. However, overprotection can sometimes be a curse—you have to act and be a certain way. For my parents, on one side, it was about my well-being, while on the other, it was about adhering to societal norms and avoiding involvement with taboo topics.

Why does society fear taboo subjects?

AS: Society wants to live in a safe, monotonous cocoon, devoid of creativity. Only when you question will you know that you are part of this existence and connect not only to human beings but also to birds, rivers, mountains, and bees. This art of connecting is crucial. Only by questioning people can we be creative and innovative. Figures like Jesus, Moses, Buddha, Mohammed and Kabir were visionaries of their time, and not accepted by society; they were hanged and killed.

Society’s rejection and threats shouldn’t deter you; you must question and create.

What do you admire about Manjuji?

AS: Change-makers and whistle-blowers often have to walk alone. In Manju, I have excellent support and a person I can trust unquestioningly. Good people like Manju, who are independent and courageous, are hard to come by.

Manjuji, how did you come to join Guria?

SM: I had no intention to get married; I was keen to continue my social work [with an orphanage] and adopt two children. But all that changed when my life crossed paths with Guria. On my first day of teaching at Guria— when the children asked me to return the next day—I realised I had found my dream job. I wanted to be his [Ajeet Singh’s] steadfast supporter.

On learning of my decision to join Guria, the director of the SOS orphanage scolded me and threatened to kick me out without paying me. I told him [orphanage director] to go to hell. Guria offered me 1,500 rupees. I told him [Ajeet Singh] point-blank: “I want to join you, but now I don’t even have a roof on my head; you have to provide shelter,” and he agreed. The room that we are sitting in now was my room.

What was it about Ajeetji that convinced you to join Guria?

SM: His [Ajeet Singh] passion and craziness are extraordinary. I decided to join Guria because of his unwavering drive, commitment, and the sincerity with which he serves humanity.

Ajeetji, you are fortunate to have found Manjuji, who is on your wavelength.

AS: True. I was already 34 or 35 when I met her [Manju].

Age is just a number.

AS: That’s right. I have always embraced a defiant spirit. As you shared earlier, I didn’t want to get married to produce children. I want to live on my terms.

I have paid a steep price for being my person.

You utilise art as therapy for children at Guria. What is it about art that makes children receptive to it?

AS: When you create art—whether it’s painting, gardening, or writing—your fingers move, and you create from the heart and the soul. I plant ideas and encourage children to draw natural elements (instead of buildings); in the process, children shrink, becoming part of trees and birds. The children at Guria were once some of the most violent, but art has played a transformative role in their lives.

Guria is located in Varanasi [a city in Uttar Pradesh, also known as Benaras or Kashi]. What makes Varanasi—a sacred pilgrimage site in Hinduism—also a destination for the flesh trade? Are the locals and visitors aware of the extent of child trafficking and prostitution that occurs in this holy city?

SM:  Benaras is home to one of the largest brothels in the world. The sex trade in Benaras is flourishing because of sex tourism and industrialisation. And yes, people are aware of trafficking and child prostitution in Benaras.

The saying goes, “Moksh pana hai toh Varanasi jana hai” [To attain salvation, one must visit Varanasi]. These pilgrims must rationalise that, having committed a lifetime of sins, they might as well commit a few more—engage in prostituted sex—and wash their collective sins in the river Ganga.

What is the difference between child prostitution and second-generation prostitution, and how do they tie into sex tourism?

SM: Child prostitution refers to the exploitation of individuals under 18 years of age. In contrast, second-generation prostitution is a vicious circle where the daughter follows in her mother’s footsteps, who works as a prostitute.

AS: Sex tourism occurs wherever tourism is influenced by sex—in red-light areas, highways, hotels, trains, tourist spots, etc, for example, Benaras serves as a significant hub attracting both foreign visitors and individuals from other regions within India.

What makes human trafficking an invisible crime?

AS: Often, it is vulnerable individuals, particularly those living in poverty or lacking education, who fall victim to trafficking. If the police catch a woman, she will claim that the man [her trafficker] is her husband—because she truly believes he will marry her once they cross the border, let’s say, Nepal. Only after another six months of wooing her, and into the seventh month, when her trafficker starts beating and pimping her, the woman realises she has been trafficked. Tragically, the police are unable to assist the parents who file a missing persons report, as the woman has publicly professed her love for the man. In this way, she becomes a shield that protects her trafficker.

How dreadful.

Another deplorable fact in contemporary India is that vulnerable children often find themselves coerced into providing sexual favours to the police, who also demand a monthly fee as their commission.

AS: The people who are supposed to protect girls are part of the crime—the police run the whole business of prostitution. And yes, the girls’ brothel keeper pays a fee to the police, mahina [monthly commission]. This practice [of taking a commission on crimes] is happening in Mumbai [the capital of Maharashtra] and Chennai [the capital of Tamil Nadu]. Girls are supplied [for sex] to hotels, where the police not only remain aware of these activities but also collect commissions from each establishment. Additionally, they exploit trafficked and prostituted girls and women by demanding sexual favours.

You know, Heera, what disturbs me is that the so-called educated people of the civil society don’t know the truth, and not knowing the truth is fatal. Herein lies the problem. The privileged exist like a stone without feelings, in their cocoons, with consumer goods; they are so sucked into consumerism that their minds and souls have been eaten up.

When the educated and successful don’t ask questions, how can an illiterate slave ask any question? The most significant number of people living in slavery—approximately 90% of the population—is in India, which is catastrophic.

In a nation like India, which suffers from rampant corruption and insufficient police enforcement, establishing an effective witness protection program is undoubtedly challenging.

AS: Witness protection, a state mechanism, should take care of victims; it’s not my obligation. While many aspects of this issue may not fall within my direct responsibilities, we often take proactive steps rather than waiting for others to act.  So, we take care of witness protection–relocating victims from one place to another and providing them with a monthly stipend. Only I, and occasionally Manju, know the identities of these victims and their locations.

It must be incredibly challenging to rescue victims of trafficking.

AS: When you go to rescue a girl, the criminals don’t welcome you—they make your life a living hell. Therefore, it’s essential to strategise and stay one step ahead of them.

That is certainly true.

AS: While I firmly believe in the Gandhian principle of non-violence,  the current situation demands significant effort to achieve real results. If two out of 100 employees stay with me, it feels like a major accomplishment. My employees complain that I make them do too much work. Children and women are raped every day, so yes, there is a lot of work to be done. And the police tell me: “You are not cooperating; you end up [at the police station] every day.”

I land at the police station every day because rapes happen daily.

Remember, I sent you the TIP [Trafficking in Persons] report that comes from America; they have mentioned one of our cases—the life imprisonment for the woman in Agra—

Are you referring to Geeta Rakesh, the former Superintendent of the Government Protection Home?

AS: Yes, I created an extensive post about the Geeta Rakesh case to illustrate the challenges involved in securing a life sentence for a single criminal. India can be happy that this story [Geeta Rakesh’s imprisonment] made it into the TIP report; it’s essential to acknowledge the hardships I faced in achieving that conviction.  Neither did the police help me, nor did the government counsellors support me; instead, I was threatened.

Ajeetji, I empathise with you. A few years back, I found myself in a similar predicament and sought to file an FIR [A first information report] against two entitled, hostile families—Currimbhoy’s [Naimet Pabaney and Karim] and Rajagopal’s [Ashwitha’s mother and Lakshmi’s househusband], who repeatedly harassed me and vandalised my dignity. Approaching the police, at an extremely sensitive time in my life, proved fatal. Alongside my perpetrators, the complicit police ridiculed and harassed me for months. Like you, I am a doer. I held my own, filed an FIR, and, disclosing it to anyone, personally met the DGP [Director General of Police]. I then sent a detailed report and the recordings to….

Upon learning about the incidents, a “well-connected” friend asked: “Why didn’t you tell me? I would have called so and so.” But therein lies the issue—why do we need a backdoor entry into law and order in contemporary India? I firmly believe clout is an infertile ground where self-serving, corrupt cowards congregate. If you [Ajeet Singh and Santwana Manju] and other well-meaning individuals don’t endure the corrosiveness of the complicit-corrupt police [in India], what hope do we give the abused, illiterate, and impoverished?

AS: Heera, the police swear and curse at these women [vulnerable victims seeking help]. While the construction of buildings and roads, and the production of automobiles and trains, are considered advancements, they are not fundamentally centred on human life. The nation is made up of people. Only when you prioritise people at the core—ensuring that girls and women are not subjected to violence, trafficking is eliminated, farmers are not driven to suicide, no one suffers from hunger, and that shelters and orphanages are safe havens with access to healthcare for all,  you are making life-centric growth. A country’s growth should be profound.

What is the global scale of human trafficking?

AS: After arms and drugs, human trafficking, along with prostitution, stands as the second-largest illicit industry in the world. So you can imagine the amount of money that is involved.

What is the role of a trafficker?

AS: The role of a trafficker is primarily centred in source locations such as Bihar, Odisha, and Bengal, where they exploit vulnerable individuals by making deceptive promises of love, opportunities for success, and stable employment. In contrast, a pimp solicits customers for prostitution, conducting sex transactions at destination points—from brothels to hotels. When a pimp needs a new girl, he travels back [to source point]. In some cases, older women become traffickers themselves, as they don’t have any other option to survive. A woman is trapped in prostitution.

SM: When a woman wants to return to her family, she often faces rejection. Even as she ages, if a former sex worker tries to take on a household task—to wash utensils in someone’s house, the family will remark: “She [the aged prostitute] has come to spoil my man!” The retired prostitute can’t milk cows, as no one will buy from her. So, where is the place for these trafficked and prostituted women? She [the trafficked-prostituted woman] is ostracised at every turn.

SM: Society certainly seizes every opportunity to humiliate women, and stigma serves as a weapon to degrade them. Even if you walk through the lane in the red light area, society will say, “Oh, we saw you in that area.” A prostitute’s life is so miserable that she can’t even commit suicide—someone is always guarding her, and her money is not hers. You have to understand her [a prostitute’s] pain. In Indian films, the portrayal of prostitutes is unrealistic—they are portrayed as smiling and carefree. If a customer goes past a sulking prostitute, will he go to her for sex?

No, he won’t [seek sex].

SM: So, a woman has to smile.

That is true.

AS: If she [the prostituted woman] refuses sex, she won’t earn money, and if there is no money at the end of the day, she will be beaten black and blue. And most prostituted women evaporate in old age, resorting to begging and dying on the streets. There has always been a problem with rehabilitating prostitutes, as it lacks social sanction.

How does prostitution differ within the Bedia community?

AS: The Bedia community is unique, similar to women in Karnataka [SouthWest state of India], where certain groups worship the goddess Yellamma and become devadasis, engaging in traditional prostitution.

So the Bedias are similar to the Nat community?

AS: Yes, that’s correct. The Nat, Bedia, Bachada, and several other communities are all involved in traditional prostitution, with the Bedia community being more extensive.

When we spoke last, you mentioned living amidst the Bedia community—

AS: I am currently residing among the Bedias as an anthropologist, conducting a new research project. Who do you rescue in this [Bedia] community, and from whom? Unlike a red-light area, where trafficked victims are sold and coerced into sex work, the Bedia community practices second-generation prostitution.

Why do specific communities (Nat, Bedia, Bachada) resort to prostitution?

AS: We live in a caste-ridden society that has dictated who will do what type of work. You will be a Chamar [Untouchable community] and work in tanneries; you are a Yadav [Peasant-pastoral community], and you will milk cows; you are a Bhangi [Lowest caste], and you will remove human excrement. The unfortunate reality is that we [Indians] have not been able to get rid of that nonsense [caste system].

Does a runaway child, who has been sexually and physically abused by their family and continually victimised by society, have any viable options left in life?

AS: The only option is to seek refuge in government homes.

It’s important to acknowledge that children often face sexual, physical, and emotional abuse within the confines of these government homes. What, then, is the solution?

AS: First and foremost, despite advancements, we seem to lack humanity. A civilised society is absent because of the standards we uphold and the type of community we cultivate.   Have we not had over 70 years of Independence from British rule to create a kinder world?

Secondly, our education system requires a complete overhaul. Currently, the education system is robotic, creating more violence. A wrong child will assault, rape, harass and create all types of problems in society.

Finally, we must address the issue of clout, as you mentioned earlier. This sickness [of clout]—you scratch my back, and I will scratch your back—is destroying society. I want society’s framework to change.

In India, a girl’s child is disempowered the moment she is born. Meanwhile, advertising promotes everything from cosmetics to chocolates and clothing, all packaged under the guise of “women’s empowerment,” which often contradicts true feminist ideals. What do you think about the gap between this reality and the absurdity of such portrayals?

SM: Consider a commercial for men’s shaving cream that features women. What connection do these women have to the product, and where is the true empowerment here? In fact, by featuring women in the advertisement [men’s shaving cream], you reduce the status of women. Let’s be honest: the only visible marketing strategy is sex, and how does that empower women?

This facade of women’s empowerment is a lie. Hypocritical advertising exploits women for commercial gain. Nothing is being done to uplift women authentically.

AS: Even women who live in lavish homes and with a lineup of luxury cars still face discrimination.

SM: Another significant barrier to women’s advancement is the belief that they exist primarily for the benefit of others.

Marriage as a destination?

SM: It has long been instilled in women that a knight in shining armour will come to their rescue. So, a woman’s focus is entirely on getting married.

A woman whose destination is marriage has no dreams, ambitions, or identity.

For actual change in the next generation, our mindset must shift. Why is it that red-light districts around the world are filled with women? In every country, from districts to states, a man is sanctioned to have sexual needs. If a woman can decide what she wants to eat, why can’t she dress how she likes? And often, a woman is taunted—you were harassed, raped and humiliated because of the way you were dressed.

So true. Over a decade ago, one of the two men I previously mentioned—Rajagopal, the father of Ashwitha Vardhan Rajagopal—attacked my dignity by saying: “Are you walking around naked that these office boys [who worked with his wife] will pass vulgar comments at you?”

This sexually frustrated Brahmin househusband, while revelling in dirty jokes about Brahmin women not wearing underwear, suggesting it makes it easier for them to have sex, simultaneously claims to lead a sexless life, asserting that a dog sleeps between him and his wife! The man’s jealousy-fueled attack served as a stark revelation of the status of the women in his family and underscored his impotence. Karma is such that tomorrow, the sexually frustrated househusband’s daughter could be raped; whose dignity is he going to attack?

SM: I know what you are saying. We know of a baby who was raped; the charges against this baby were that she was seducing men. The police had to blame someone, and the girl victim was the easy target. When a six-year-old child disappears, the police say she must have run away. You are slandering the character of a girl child who can’t wear her underwear correctly on her own. The female is always a whore, and the male is a pure angel.

How do you work together toward a shared vision of transforming children’s lives?

AS: Today, we often find ourselves compiling reports, creating PowerPoint presentations, and completing projects, only to return home at the end of the day. Sure, your [an employee’s] life changes, but the community life doesn’t. Social work cannot function by doing activities mechanically on a 9-to-5 basis.

Also, we are witnessing an increasing number of egoistic, self-absorbed individuals, consumed by wealth and power, who pose a significant threat to humanity.

To truly transform lives, it is essential to have clarity about our purpose—why we do what we do. My benchmark for value addition is clear: we must ensure that ethical principles are upheld and that detrimental elements are eliminated.

You witness significant suffering up close. How do you maintain a positive outlook?

SM: Facing threats to our lives can easily lead to depression. Also, as a wife, you become a soft target. So, you have to be mentally stable. Unless you are strong and resilient, how can you possibly help others?

AS: We must have the capacity to handle life and not let problems destroy us. It’s important to manage your state of mind, work diligently, and avoid procrastination. And above all, strive to stay present in each moment.

I observed a beautiful moment when your daughter sang for us. [Their faces brighten at the mention of their daughter.]

AS: Life can be challenging when you choose to live by your principles, as we do, which is why we focus on living in the moment. Tomorrow is never guaranteed.

You began your journey by following your heart, and you continue to let it guide you. What advice do you have for responsible young adults who are sincerely concerned about their fellow beings, animals, and the environment?

AS: While it’s true that money is necessary for survival, it’s crucial to connect your heart with your mind. Maintain a childlike curiosity throughout life; if not, you will stagnate. And remember, when you get on the path of creation, you will be in the minority.

To demoralise you, the rulers—be it in a democracy or a monarchy—will oppose you; even your family members and neighbours will oppose you. But you should never lose heart; instead, you must move inch by inch, making progress.

Manjuji, what message do you have for young adults?

SM: Regardless of the profession you choose, be sincere. If you are a surgeon, don’t operate unnecessarily for profit. If you are an engineer, don’t construct a bridge that will crumble in two years; build one that will last 50 years. And when you pray to god, don’t offer ladoos and food as a means to balance your karma for making 500 crores through ill-gain; pray for the right reasons.

Keep your heart at the core. A person with a clear heart, upon witnessing a girl or woman being abused, trafficked, or exploited, will strive to rescue her. In contrast, a malevolent person will choose to assault, harass, and demean that suffering individual.

The heart and humanity are linked; only a clear heart can steer you in the right direction, which will help serve humanity.

Learn more about Ajeet Singh and Santwana Manju.

Animal rights campaigner, IN