Silence! The Court is in Session : Vijay Tendulkar’s Satire on Gender Discrimination and Social Hierarchy

Abstract

Silence! The Court is in Session of Vijay Tendulkar is a satire on Indian society. It is a critique of gender discrimination and social hierarchy that exists even in the present day social structure. The playwright has given ironic treatment to the legal system. The judiciary, instead of justice, becomes an instrument of injustice and silences the voice of women. Through this play Tendulkar has tried to bring forth the existing marginalized condition of women in Indian society. The playwright has dealt well with the plot. The characters are created keeping in view the human psyche. There is a group of frustrated saddist men who try to suppress women in every possible way. They do this to keep their position high in social structure. The leading women character Miss Benare fights against oppression, discrimination and injustice. All forces try to victimize and torture her but she remains strong against all odds. With an indomitable spirit, she proves herself to be a new woman. This paper views to study how Vijay Tendulkar has dealt with the issue of gender discrimination and social hierarchy through his drama.

Key words: Hierarchy, Injustice, Judiciary, Oppression, Sufferings.