26/11 just passed almost a month back… we had big marches, sloganeering, candle-light vigils etc… Where are the people now? Where is security cover? Mumbai is as vulnerable today as it was 4 years back. What have the protesters, including me, have done anything after that to really help Mumbai avert something like that again. Not literally doing anything, but ensuring that government does it. Busy in our lives.
Come November & December, the candle-light fashion thrives. I have been part of many such marches and have now realized that it does nothing worthy to the advantage of the cause.
– It shows numbers but does not create awe to the politicians (if that was the motive)
– It shows spirit but stays momentarily (if that was the motive)
But it helps the media immensely (not blaming them here) for those extra bytes.
So currently #safetyforwomen, the cause for safety of women, has seen so many women (& few men too) suddenly rise out of slumber realizing they are not safe now, much alike when few arose some months back when the Guwahati molestation case happened; much alike when the Keenan & Rueben murder (Mumbai) happened more than a year back (basic issue being eve-teasing) – just few highlights (as per media) among many others sadly.
What about others over the years?
– In Latur a 14 year old was raped and killed by four young men.
– In Konark four men were charged with dragging a woman out of a bus and gang raping her.
http://www.azadindia.org/social-issues/crime-against-women-in-india.html
– 8-year-old girl killed after ‘gang-rape’ (allegedly)
– The mysterious ‘rape and murder’ of two women in Shopian
– Thee Surat gang-rape case, where three men raped a Class XII girl in a moving car, has led to outrage in the state.
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/The+iceberg+of+rape/1/46911.html
– Now, how many candles & sympathies for them? These are just few among many unknown to us.
A valid argument is “No one covered, so we did not come to know”.
** If one really cares, put an effort to read about it. (although no blaming, but something one must introspect)
Do you know how many rapes occur in India every year?
24206 in 2011 – as per NCRB – – National Crime Records Bureau – http://www.jagranjosh.com/current-affairs/national-crime-record-bureau-released-the-crime-statistics-for-2011-1341490766-1
22172 in 2010 – as per wikipedia – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rape_statistics
21397 in 2009 – as per NCRB – http://www.ipsnews.net/2011/03/india-60-registered-rapes-a-day/
Rough average – 60 Registered Rapes a Day !! and read the word “Registered”.
The metros are worse than rural. From 2007 and 2011, Delhi saw 2,620 rape cases. Mumbai had 1,033, Bangalore 383, Chennai 293 and Kolkata 200 cases.
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_rapes-in-india-rise-by-873pct-from-1953_1779780
Now these are just reported ones. The unreported statistic should kill you literally.
– No one knows true statistics, but if you read more on these, you will find that unreported cases are at least thrice “3 times” more. Few media even go to the extent of saying that unreported ones are nearly 9 times more.
Shocked? Put a black dot on your display pictures now!!! And you are done showing your sympathies or lodging a protest.
Do you know what has been the further action?
Of the 5,337 rape cases in the last decade, in 3,860 the culprits were either acquitted or discharged by courts for lack of “proper” evidence. The conviction rate for the country as a whole, on the average, between 2001 and 2010, in rape cases was 26% only.
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_rapes-in-india-rise-by-873pct-from-1953_1779780
=> All of above comes within an hour of research on the internet.
So you think an emotional note on your facebook page or blog will help, really? To me, at best it is just an outburst which will die within few days. Few notes that I read on facebook are – (few widely read and shared ones)
Bodhisatwa Dasgupta – https://www.facebook.com/notes/bodhisatwa-dasgupta/dear-ragini/10151206561618635
Kalki Koechlin – https://www.facebook.com/notes/kalki-koechlin/i-cant-get-her-out-of-my-head/10151291595028366
At best, Rhetoric is all I can say.
I cannot be sorry for the whole “man clan”. That way whole human race must be sorry for everything then. Sorry to animals, sorry to men, sorry to Earth (& then claim Mayans were right, humanity has died) yeah right!! Humanity died only few days ago? And then see a good YouTube video & say again, humanity is still alive. Our emotions change as moments change, we should accept the fact.
I would have been extremely humiliated if a relative had done this, I would be extremely sorry then; but I am not sorry for any other man. It is not my ego that hurts, but something that I take a stand for.
If at all I am sorry for it is sincerely for “not doing anything” to prevent this. Yes, I have done nothing.
But certainly I am neither lighting up a candle nor putting any display picture for protest. I do not want to excuse myself saying “I at least have done this, because i am helpless otherwise”. I do want to feel convenient & show my sympathies.
We always want someone to blame. No law & order – blame police (whom we bribe on our own convenience for breaking laws otherwise). Then blame politicians (whom we elect again) ** Sheila Dikshit is elected thrice in Delhi, how & why? Weren’t crimes in Delhi prevalent before?
Then blame slow courts. Then blame society. Then blame clans, types & miscellaneous people.
We elect the government which does nothing. We tamper with laws, which when broken upon our safety, we start talking about morality.
Such convenience only brings a sense of false satisfaction of having contributed to a greater cause. It only instills hope in our mind for a few days that nothing bad will happen, until something else happens.
Don’t we ourselves have any blame to take? We have done nothing too (generalized statement, which should not be taken personally by few people who have put genuine efforts)
Unfortunately, we always need a trigger; a moment. But most of us are not ready to put an effort, which as few people put it “middle class log hain, ghar bhi chalana hota hain” (we are middle class people, we have to run the house too)
It is only a consistent effort through law & governance that we can bring about some change.
Do you know about Rape laws in India?
Read please – http://www.legalindia.in/rape-laws-in-india
There is too much to put here so I want you to click on the above link & read it. This is more important than reading an emotional note.
As Kiran Bedi says, file PIL in courts to get Social audits done for police forces in metros (at least). Ask your elected representative to amend laws. File PIL in court to ask for “fast-track court” in crimes like rapes. Talk to lawmakers.
Talk about what is required –
1. Public justice (difficult for a democracy to have)
2. Capital punishment at first instance of rape (argued with reformative theory of law) http://www.unipune.ac.in/snc/cssh/ipq/english/IPQ/1-5%20volumes/05-4/5-4-7.pdf
3. Chemical castration – (can have reverse effects) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_castration
4. Surgical castration – (Czech Republic uses it) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castration
Chemical vs. surgical – http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,37498,0.htm
5. Others if suggested & possible.
Laws regarding rape in other countries –
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laws_regarding_rape
http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,37498,0.htm
I am no law expert, but nothing in India changes by candle marches. You need to be either in the system & change it or be outside and “persistently” fight for it. Everyone can vary in opinion, but at least be active in the forum.
This is my attempt to make you well informed & take the matter to the Law. That’s the BIG way of making even a small change.
Read about the crime statistics in India – http://ncrb.gov.in/
~~~ Everything below is are my personal comments at a few things… you may stop reading if you don’t like what I write, so as to not feel outraged at me.
Mumbai vs. Delhi
Stop this stupid comparison. No city in India is really safe that way.
http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/most-rapes-in-delhi-mumbai-is-second-144585
Yes, I agree that in Mumbai we have women travelling at midnight and reaching home safely. But that does not mean they are fearless. You can only condemn cities based on crime statistics, how can you start calling someone better? Damn!!!
Other outrageous protest is by AAP, Aam admi Party.
“Stop cops from VIP duty to prevent rapes” protest rally from Bandra Stn West to Sushil Shinde’s residence at Pali Hill. Sat 22nd 4 pm. Bring plates spoons. JOIN UP OR SHUT UP. 7303150500. http://www.facebook.com/StopCopsFromVIPDutyToPreventRapes
– According to them, I should just “Shut up!!” okay. I will shut up to you. I cannot expect you to do anything concrete, filing PIL or something which the more experienced people know about. I will surely support and join the campaign then.
Mayans were right – humanity ends… huh??? Come again?
…suddenly humanity fails; suddenly people realize the same.
Read – http://www.spectator.co.uk/the-week/leading-article/8789981/glad-tidings/
Protesting on Facebook –
Something (status being virally shared) I agree to “thank god there was no Facebook and social media during the fight for Independence….or else people wouldn’t have taken part in revolt; just turn their DP in black Spot and expect the British to get the hint and leave”
And then a friend of mine also attaches his personal comment – “But this is the only thing we can do… This is how helpless our system and politicians make us… Democracy is only for criminals to rape or murder ne1 they want”… with a L smiley at the end.
Is this all we got? Then stop expecting something to happen. Stop crying afterwards that nothing happened. I say so because we did nothing to make it happen. We just cried being helpless.
Some even go to the extent of saying they are ashamed of our nation; ashamed to call “Mera Bharat Mahan”. Well we do not realize that the first word is “mera” (my) and that is where the interpretation of Bharat changes. If I am ashamed of “mera bharat” then it is because “I” did not do anything. “Apna bharat” still remains “mahan” (great).
I shall not be part of another candle light march or convenient protest (social media, talks etc.)
Call me lame, call me dead, call me numb – if I want to make a change and expect something, I will fight for it hard & not stop until I get it done!! Else, I will not complain.
Disclaimer – This is neither aimed at anyone nor is it any emotional outburst. Just something for us to ponder, and be more informed through the links shared. Hope it helps for a wider perspective. Hopefully two candle light protesters turn into persistent protesters which make at least two bit changes.
