ANALYSE THE TREATMENT OF BHABIJAN FROM OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS WITH RESPECT TO THE POLITICAL

AND SOCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF THAT PERIOD (FROM TOUCH-ME-NOT BY ISMAT CHUGTAI, 1952)

Touch-Me-Not by Ismat Chugtai is the story which resembles how women at that time were just a tool to
produce produce babies in the Indian traditional society. The story revolves around the life of bhabijan whose
sole purpose in life was to provide progeny to her family. Despite the constant caring of Bi Mughlani, she has
suffered two miscarriages and as a result of this, her husband Bhaijan gave up all his hope to become a father.
Due to this failure of hers , Bhaijan would marry another woman hoping that she will give birth to a child which
will continue the linage. And that would mean that Bhabijan will be ripped off her bridal comforts and resort to
Prostitution for survival.

When all this happened, it was the year 1952 ( post independence period ) and India was still recovering from
the struggles of Partition and implementing the rules of newly formed republic constitution. The country then
was going on with a lot of uncertainity. Everyday many laws were made and many were breaked. . People
were still trying to accept these changes. Untouchability was yet to be abolished completely and fights for
women rights were then budding. Religious riots were still happeing. Minorities like Muslims in the country
were threatened to death despite the reforming efforts of Ambedkar, Congress leaders and other politicians.

It is clear that Bhabijan's family was well to do so that they decided to stay in India. Bhabijan is revealed to be a
woman almost on the verge of abandonment. She belonged to a family where women are voiceless against
the patriarchal violence of the family. Bhabijan got married at a very early age in her and since then her family
wanted her to bear children. Her husband, Bhaijan doesn’t love her now. He has lost all the affection from her
due to her constant illness. After her two miscarriages, Bhaijan is having thoughts of remarrying and if not
Bhabijan, someone would help him produce a child.

Ammijan, the head of the family is also eagerly waiting for the birth of her grandchild. Everytime Bhabijan is
expecting, she makes sure that her pregnancy goes on smoothly. The child in Bhabijan's womb is the only thing
that matters to her and not Bhabijan's health. After the first pregnancy is lost, she is happy that the mother is
saved as she can produce more child in future. She is also the decisive centre of the family as her decision of
going to Aligarh for the third delivery is accepted by everyone even when Bhabijan was reluctant to go. Bi
Mughlani, the caretaker does everything possible to make sure the delivery is normal and even goes to the
extent of indulging in witchcraft to assure herself of the unborn child's safety. She too is concerned about
Bhabijan and her health. However, it is clear that the birth of the child is her only motivation and she
constantly strive towards that goal. The Lost of the Unborn child in the third time is the personal loss of Bi
Mughlani as well. Even after her constant chiding, she was unable to protect Bhabijan's pregnancy.