Sujata Parashar's TheTemple Bar Woman: Representation and Resistance of Woman

Journal of Research and Development Peer Reviewed International, Open Access Journal. ISSN : 2230-9578 | Website: https://jrdrvb.org Volume-17, Issue-10(II)| October2025 180 Sujata Parashar’s TheTemple Bar Woman: Representation and Resistance of Woman Deepali Rohit Tade English S. B. Khade Mahavidyalaya, Koparde Shivaji University, Kolhapur Email-deepalighotane198[email protected] Manuscript ID: JRD -2025-171043 ISSN: 2230-9578 Volume 17 Issue 10(II) Pp. 180-182 October 2025 Submitted: 15 Oct. 2025 Revised: 25 Oct. 2025 Accepted: 27 Oct. 2025 Published: 31 Oct. 2025 Abstract: Sujata Parashar is a famous name in Indian writing in English. She is an award winning Indian novelist, poet, short story writer and psychological trainer. As a social activist and trainer, Sujata has more than a decade of experience in the development sector working for the cause of underprivileged children, adolscents and woman. She has credited five novels, short story collection and non-fiction books. Her fictions are woman centered. Romance, thrill, suspense are the core part of the novel. Her novels are like a Bollywood movie The Temple Bar Woman is the best example of Bollywood movies. The present novel is a picture of a girl who is victim of this unjust system. It is the story of a girl that shows daring in all the odds that come her way to achieve her aim. She is the representative to other girls. She is a simple girl but due to the social system she enters in politics to take revenge of her enemy. She is the perfect example of resistence. Radha is the main character of this novel. She is a simple school teacher who is the daughter of Headmaster of school. Her father, a single parent dots on her but is too protective of her. She cajols him to let her go to a village fair with her best friend. At the fair, a man who is Vikram Singh, the son of political leader, misbehaves with her and instead of ignoring it, responds back strongly. Vikram Singh, kidnaps her, brutally gang rapes and throws her into a brothel. Brothel is the place of prostitute and red light area. There she meets the Rakshit Singh emerging businessman and leading politician. He is unknown about her past life. He attracts towards Radha. With the help of Rakshit Singh and Habiba Bi, who is owner of Brothel. She decides to take revenge. She enters in the politics. After that she becomes politician and achieves her aim. She takes revenge. She changes from simple village girl and school teacher to supremely confident politician. Tit for tat is saying proved, reaction to action takes place. Radha becomes role model for the next upcoming generation. She is the representative to other woman’s She proves that women could takes resistence against unjust system. She fights for her rights. She fights for her self respect. She stands as a role model of rise, revolt and raise her voice. Key Words: Temple, Bar, Brothel, revenge, Resistence, Representative. Introduction: Indian writing in English and which a special reference to women’s writing is concerned. Woman plays a considerable role and position in our society. They plays very important role from their birth to till the end of life. Even after, playing all her roles in an proficient manner in the modern society; she is considered feeble because men are still well thought out as the strongest gender of the society. She has to take care of herself and family members in per forming various roles of daughter, sister, wife, daughter-in-law, grand-daughter, motherinlaw, grandmother etc. In spite of her family responsibility she is able to come out and do job for bright future of own, family, and country.Indian writing in English and which a special reference to women’s Indian writing in English is concerned; it can be observed that it is a state of total maturity of woman’s writing in Indian scenario. Woman have their own world of suffering, subjugation, suppression, depression physical and mental level torture. But as on today, we can see a changed panorama. Women have their own power to rise ,revolt and revenge. She can speaks writes, protests and takes revenge. Quick Response Code: Website: https://jrdrvb.org/ DOI: Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) This is an open access journal, and articles are distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International Public License, which allows others to remix, tweak, and build upon the work noncommercially, as long as appropriate credit is given and the new creations ae licensed under the idential terms. Address for correspondence: Deepali Rohit Tade,English S. B. Khade Mahavidyalaya, Koparde,Shivaji University, Kolhapur How to cite this article: Deepali Rohit Tade,(2025 ), Sujata Parashar’s TheTemple Bar Woman:Representation and Resistance of Woman,Journal of Research & Development, 17(10(II)),180-182 Original Article Journal of Research and Development Peer Reviewed International, Open Access Journal. ISSN : 2230-9578 | Website: https://jrdrvb.org Volume-17, Issue-10(II)| October2025 181 She has been given this power only because of education.In ancient time her life was limited to cooking and bearing children. Now her role is changed from modernity. She is aware of her fundamental rights of human rights. Changing for someone or trying to change someone is not acceptable to the woman. Strong woman know how to take a stand for themselves and say yes or no accordingly woman focuses on personal development and career, striving for financial independence and equal opportunities. It is good to see woman getting empowered the world is ready to take in this new change and adapt with increasing awareness that women are getting independent. Sujata Parashar is best selling novelist, short story writer, poet and activist. She is an award winning Indian female writer. Also she is a psychological trainer. As a social activist and trainer, Sujata has more than a decade of experience in the development sector working for the cause of underprivileged children and women. She is a former founder member o Empowering minds a Delhi based NGO focussing on education and mental health issues of women and children. She is the recipient of Karam Veer Chakra award for two times She is the representative of postmodern period. The main purpose of this paper is to learn how to deal with wrongdoers. Radha’s characters has been sketched as a valiant and fearless lady who stands up to fight her criminals. Not to surrender to situation instead of it face the critical situation and come over the problems. Seek justice, take justice and become an exceptional example before the upcoming generation. Scope of this paper is limited to this novel only. Analytical, interpretative, evaluative approach will be preferred to judge the novel. Here an honest example is made to show the writer is successful to relate to the present situation of woman. Radha hatched a plan to take revenge against her criminals. The owner of the brothel also joined her to fight against their common enemy. So both woman characters are the representative to other woman. Both stands as a representative and resistence . Now let’s see how the writer Sujata Parashar is successful to depict a story of courage shown by a gang rape survivor who lived only to avenge her honour and disrespect. The novel is centred on the victims of sexual assault and molestation. The present novel is an apt example to show the intension of female character like Radhika Chaudhari. She is representative and model to other women. She enters in politics with purpose to take revenge. Politicians are very powerful. No one can hurt them. No one can oppose them. Common people don’t have courage to oppose political leaders, but Radha shows courage and become a political leader and takes revenge. The present novel is an apt example of show the intention of female character Radhika. She enters in politics with intentionally to take revenge. Politicians are very powerful. No one can hurt them. They have the power of money. So no one can oppose them. Common people don’t have courage to oppose politicians, but Radha shows courage and becomes a political leader. She is a female character but she wreaks her vengeance. Radha or Radhika Kumari Chaudhari is a simple school teacher has a lead sheltered your life till the age of 21 or 22. She is a daughter of headmaster of school. Her father, a single parent dotes on her but is too protective of her. She cajoles him too let her go to a village fair with her best friend. At the fair a man, Vikram Singh, a son of powerful politician, misbehaves with her and instead of ignoring it, she responds strongly. Vikram Singh kidnaps her, brutally gang rapes and throws her into a brothel called The Temple Bar. This is the turning point of her life. It is a prostitute area which is under control of Habiba Bi and her agent. She is very popular in that area. Many elite class people, rich people and political leaders used to visit this area. Bharat Singh is regular customer of Habiba Bi. She has illegal son from Bharat Singh but Arif Khan is denied his right as Singh. It is spark of quarrel among both sides. Habiba Bi is helpless in this situation. She does not want to cross her limitation. Power can spoil the character of man and position can harm the common man and woman of society. Radhika is not ready to accept that now she is prostitute woman. Habiba Bi and her maid servant Jhumki tries to convince her. Then she decides to forget her past experience and start a new life but in different way. She tells to Habiba Bi her dream to teach a lesson to Vikram Singh. Radhika knows that, Habiba Bi is the main Source and medium to reach at him. Because she is a popular local sex worker which a huge network of land lords, rich politicians, businessman and many more. Rakshit Singh is also a regular customer of Habiba Bi. One day he visits the temple bar. He is introduced with Radhika, who was not ready to please him. He was a businessman and upcoming politician. After various meetings with Radhika. He does not harm her. Then Rakshit thinks that, appoint her as a caretaker of his daughter Neer. Because Radhika is simple, clever and honest woman. So he decides to appoint her caretaker of his daughter. Time goes Radhika and Rakshit becomes intimate friend. Close relationship develops between them. After a few days, she becomes advisor of Rakshit Singh. As a family member she attends many meetings and parties of Rakshit Singh. Now let’s see the first decision and encounter of Radhika, “Besides she herself did not have any proof against Vikram and without it, none would believe or accept his felonies. Still she knew that if Habiba agreed to help her, thing would become easier. For one she needed a place from where she could execute her plan without having to look for help elsewhere or reveal her real identity, and Temple Bar was just right place” (TWB.109) This is beginning of revenge process in which she appeals to Rakshit Singh as well as Habiba Bi. Whose strong support can make her revenge easy? Once just glance at the following conversation, “please think about it Habiba Bi; we are both victims of his atrocities and if we work together, we can expose him in front of very people, who you think highly of him. Radha repeated her request, gathering all her courage. Besides, I am not going anywhere from this city, till I avenge myself. Even, if you don’t help me. I will find a way to destroy him” (TBW.125) above request is enough to judge and evaluate the revenge that is the main aspect of this story. When Rakshit Singh proposes to Radhika for marriage. Let’s see her reaction of Radhika on Journal of Research and Development Peer Reviewed International, Open Access Journal. ISSN : 2230-9578 | Website: https://jrdrvb.org Volume-17, Issue-10(II)| October2025 182 this proposal, “why does he want to marry me? She asked herself. Why did he have to spoil our friendship? I can never marry, does not he realize that I can never feel anything for any man after what that bastard and his friend did to me” (TBW.190) In the course of time a care taker turns into a life partner but the last part of novel reveals the real revenge. She becomes an advisor, from advisor to MLA and part chief. She takes the revenge when she dishonour Vikram Pratap Singh and his father Bharat Singh. In this way she destroys the political career of Vikram Pratap Singh. The following conversation proves that really the present novel is a tale of revenge by Sujata Parashar. Its an epilogue of this novel, “yes there is! A lot that you don’t know! And today you will have to hear it out, Rakshit Singh, said Radhika raising her voice. I am not what you think. I am and I did not come here to live with you to take away anything. I come here to avenge my dishonor.” (TBW.207) Taking into consideration of above statement it true that the main purpose of Radhika is to take revenge and not to achieve the political post and position. Her firmness and efforts make her successful in her mission. The main goal of her life is to punish for her insults. Really it was or it is the mentality of men to look a woman from the sensual point of view. She wants to give justice to all the women in the world. Radhika clears in the following words, “That what I am doing. Look Rakshit I don’t want to be Chief Minister. I never wanted to be one. You are better suited for that role. But now I have this opportunity. I want use it to my advantage. I want to punish that rascal and friends in public. You have to help me! Please! She said finally breaking down. (TBW.210) However, Rakshit Singh, an upcoming politician get intrigued by her plight, asks her to be his daughter’s governess. Radhika aka Rani after the tragedy turns out to become a stronger than ever woman whose life’s motive is only to take revenge from Vikram who has destroyed her life. Luckily, she gets a second chance through Rakshit Singh to avenge but not all rape survivors are as lucky as her. How she takes her revenge? How Habiba and her son help her to take her revenge is worthknowing. In the last part of tale Rakshit Singh becomes the CM. Bharat Singh accepted Arif Khan as his son and Habiba Bi as his wife. Vikram Pratap Singh is given custody for life imprisonment. The end of the story is quite a Bollywood style that the female lead finally gets justice. Conclusion The present novel The Temple Bar Woman is of danger, deceit and daring. It is the story of a school teacher girl that shows her daring in all aspects of life and ultimately beats all the hurdles that come in her way to achieve her aim. It is a powerful thriller story about a woman who was abducted for a flimsy reason, raped and then left to die. The novel is about how she wreaks her vengeance. She is the representative of 21st century. She is an action taking woman. She complete her mission only because she believes in herself. A decision can change your life and a changed life is role model for the upcoming generation. She finds her own path to punishes her culprits. The above explaination proves that Sujata Parashar’s The Temple Bar Woman is a story of a woman who is representative to upcoming generation. Reaction to action takes place and she becomes the role model for woman’s who are suffering. Radhika is a model of rise, revolt and raise her voice. Radha realizes what has happened to her and turns into a plotting and scheming woman who will do anything to exact revenge from her perpetrators. Nothing in today’s world works without consent and women are at all afraid to speak up. To underestimate the power of woman is very dangerous. They are not a suffering puppet in the hands of man. She can speaks, writes, protests and takes revenge. Now her role is changed from modernity from suffering tit for tat. She is aware of her fundamental rights. She is now independent. They are people with dreams and desires, and will do anything to achieve them. References 1. Parashar Sujata, The Temple Bar Woman, Vishwakarma Publication,2018. 2. “Book Release : The Temple Bar Woman by Sujata ParasharTimes of India”. 3. http;//www.sujataparashar.in