Authors: Dr.junaid shabir
Abstract: Vijay Tendulkar’s Silence! The Court is in Session is a searing critique of patriarchal structures and the politics of gender in Indian society. This paper explores the theme of sexual politics within the play, focusing on how societal norms and institutional power suppress female autonomy and reinforce male dominance. Through the character of Leela Benare—a progressive, unmarried woman who becomes the target of moral judgment—the play exposes the double standards and hypocrisy inherent in traditional gender roles. The mock trial becomes a metaphor for real societal oppression, turning personal freedom into public spectacle and reinforcing the silence imposed on women. Tendulkar uses courtroom drama to unveil the cruelty of social norms and the ways in which women are silenced, judged, and marginalized. This study highlights how Silence! The Court is in Session remains a powerful and relevant commentary on gendered injustice and the politics of sexuality..
DOI: http://doi.org/
