Last night Nirbhaya the 23 year old Delhi girl who had been gang raped by six goons died. The rapists were led by a driver of a bus company notorious for their obnoxious behaviour with citizens and total disregard for the law.
To the credit of the police and the public, the perpetuators of this terrible crime were swiftly apprehended. Why have the owners of and the employer of the bus driver not yet been apprehended? Is it because the bus company is owned by politicians?
The people are furious as can be judged by the spontaneous outbreak of widespread protests across the country. Braving the cold weather and the heat of high handed police and political action, protests across the country, by men and women, appear not only to be sustained but growing in momentum.
The government appeared to be paralyzed but this has been just a depressurizing ruse. Politicians know that public memory and fury is short lived and they typically duck responsibility until the storm passes over.
However, unlike in the past this problem refuses to go away. The key word being 'problem'.
However, unlike in the past this problem refuses to go away. The key word being 'problem'.
It is distressing to see that people as usual are focusing on the symptoms rather than the problem. Rape, theft, robbery, kidnapping, intimidation, extortion, violence etc. have become quite common in our society. They however are not the problem, these are mere symptoms of great malaise in our society.
As social creatures our behaviour and responses are the result of our social conditioning.
- Conditioning no 1: Movies depict that women really want to be pursued and preferably by force. Their resistance is just a put on. This leads to eve teasing and tendency to rape.
- Conditioning no 2: Television serials normally depict women in poor light as scheming evil creatures that deserve to be shown their place.
- Conditioning no 3: The normal citizen exists at the pleasure of a political class armed with draconian power of the state and the scary power of the criminal.
Film and television producers have to reconsider their approach and recognise that their need for making money has to be tempered with their responsibility to depict women as worthy of respect.
The greatest 'problem' is, criminalization of our political system and the presence of a large number of criminals in all elected bodies and now heading many of the democratic institutions and even business enterprises.
Why is that such a problem? The criminals now increasingly control, policy and law making and enforcement. The criminals control the tax authorities and statuary authorities and investigation agencies to intimidate opponents and to protect themselves.
History bears proof that all regimes, democratic or otherwise attempts to maintain the social and economic status quo of those in power. If the power is based on criminal minds and deeds, what else can be the outcome? Institutions are now being used to protect the interest of those in power and their henchmen who believe they are above the law. It is not a belief but a fact that criminal politicians and their cronies are indeed above the law.
No political party filled with criminals wants a strong and independent police force nor strong democratic institutions.
We the people instead of merely demanding the emasculation of rapists should demand and ensure that the politicians stop emasculating our police force and raping the people.
The only effective weapons in our hands is our voice, at the polls, through social and mainstream media and protest on the street. Are you doing your bit?
*Image by Alexa Meade
Parvez Vohra said;
ReplyDeleteMY Dear Gurvinder
A Life Lost hurts but Rape is an Animal Instinct that all Human Biengs possess. Some can control it. Some cannot ! B ut whatever anyone sayz :::
A Dick Doesnt have brains. Nor Bones. Just Balls. So when the DICK goes Beserk, No Law can curb the Dog Like Hunger for LUST. Even Ants rape.And so do Elephants !
Sorry G, but I slot Rape as in the same category as Murder or Cannibalism as a SICK Mind doesnt reason nor have any compassion when Sexual Madness Rules over a Man's Greed for Sex
I really dont know what else to say. Or how to resolve? What can a Govt do ? What does a Young Girl Child do ? What do our Sisters do ? Wear Chastity Belts ?
Well, I think that we the Citizens should watch over Buses, Trains, Skywalks and Lonely areas where Females transit / travel.We mustForm Groups. Put the shit in a potential rapist. This will warn the Baastards. Just see how the Public hammers a driver who has knocked down a Pedestrian ?
Then why not generate a Public Security system ? Sorry Bro for speaking crap > but nothings gonna change this as It's a Human Defect > A screw gone loose
Lets Design a Chastity Belt in the size of a San. Pad. Just insert some sharp nails to hurt the Dick as in a Prick of a Castration. Kyaa ?
BRgds/Pa
parvez@saifreight.com
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteNeville Bhasin said;
ReplyDeleteWhilst we all indulge in & exchange Greetings for the New Year, the following byline comes to mind on the traumatic events of the past few days:
“The whole edifice of a woman’s government is dependent on the protection of her chastity”.(Virginia Woolf-Orlando).
Those inclined towards literature may wish to ‘google’ either Virginia or the Bloomsbury group of which she was an active participant.
Pray & hope the Government of India is also aware of the sensitivities involved while undertaking reforms in this area. Keep the vigil on!
NEVILLE - nevillebhasin@yahoo.co.in
Dear Neville,
ReplyDeleteGOI is undertaking deforms not reforms.
They are only involved in self preservation and increase of their power.
A vibrant democracy with vigilant and active citizens only can make sure there is progress, security and justice for all.
While tragedies can make us sad, it must weaken our resolve.
Best Regards
Gurvinder
Vasant khisty says;
ReplyDeleteDear GS,
15 yrs back I had predicted that India is sitting on a bomb. The basic
reason is that a pressure cooker situation is being created.
On one side,
media is openly showing prono graphy through all means like Internet, movies
etc, and on other side prostitution is not legalised and there is also morale policing which doesn't allow outlet for men
This is creating a pressure with no avenue for release. So people who cant master their mind
and body tend to forcefully release this presure. Over this the Indian women are adopting western styles to attract attention and when they get rude attention they whine.
So this will increase more and more and there is no solution to this than protect your self from not being at places which has high probability of getting trapped.
Vasant
Dear Vasant,
ReplyDeletePlease read "The industrial vagina - global sex trade2009" by Sheila Jeffreys
This might give you another perspective on how governments and businesses are exploiting women and pushing slavery and further exploitation of women.
Powerful people run our affairs and ordinary people have become mere pawns because of centralisation of power in the hands of a few. These few powerful people also control governments. The time for decentralization of power through information sharing and resulting action is now possible. Facts and possibility to share those facts and consequent pinions can be easily shared using technology by-passing these powerful people. This can and will drive change.
I hope your dad keeps well and continues to shower his love and blessings on you for a long long time.
Regards & wish you, your parents Mona and Sammy a great year.
GS
" It is not a belief but a fact that criminal politicians and their cronies are indeed above the law." That sums up the problem and it is not only in violent crimes but also in corruption. How many criminals get convicted after riots or after a scam comes to light
ReplyDelete