Saturday, December 29, 2012

Let her sacrifice not go in vain


ContraVoice

So she is no more. Away in Singapore she died, leaving behind a bereaved family and a very shaken society, not to mention a shame-faced political class that has yet to redeem itself in its own eyes as much as in the eyes of those who, haplessly, keep entrusting it with the responsibility to govern. She has been nameless so far, yet she has impacted our collective conscience in a manner that even Anna Hazare and other social activists could not. But will her sacrifice result in a more secure social environment for girls in India? This question becomes pertinent in the context of the treatment given to the anti-corruption movement recently. The tendency to stonewall and tire out all social protest has been a standard response of various governments in the country. Couple with it the insensitivity shown by individual politicians – male as well as female – towards victims of rape, be they in Kolkata, Delhi, Faridkot, Patiala or other parts of the country, and prospects for legislating deterring laws and their implementation look bleak in this land.

The rage against rape in Delhi has been remarkable for its spontaneity and, more importantly, absence of politicians in various demonstrations. True, there have been hints of political infiltration into the demonstrations, and some rather tepid efforts by neo-politicians like Baba Ramdev and General VK Singh to get onto the “bandwagon” (an unfortunate term, given the context). But, by and large, the groundswell has been un-instigated. Moreover, there has been a strange, sublime and strong symbiosis between the brave victim’s struggle to defeat death and the increase in popular effort to move the authorities to action. This is indeed a rare phenomenon in Indian democracy wherein politicians have been at the vanguard of all movements – popular or unpopular. This disconnect between the people and the politician underscores a nascent trend. Will this trend become stronger? If it does, would it result in genuine, meaningful and impactful movement for a better social environment for girls in India?

These questions need to be asked in the light of what those in power have been saying, and doing, in the recent days. In an interview with Rajdeep Sardesai (CNN-IBN) our Hon’ble Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde remarked that the “Government couldn’t be everywhere.” But it was there when a Union Minister found time to try and share the platform with the Aussie cricketers during their hour of World Cup triumph in India (that the Aussies almost hustled him off the stage is another story). There is always time for the government to waste time and money on “study tours” abroad that only result in worse governance. Our politicos know when to join a bandwagon and when to make themselves scarce. But, this time, they have blundered.

But, what is depressing is that we are expecting strong anti-rape laws in an environment, which has facilitated entry of criminals into our elected bodies – right from the grassroots panchayat level to the apex legislating bodies at the state and central levels. There is a need to change this environment that gets its sustenance from mindsets that get moulded in homes and schools, in our quotidian interactions in public places, in our professional workplaces and the entertainment industry. You only have to hear the thoughts articulated in private by the so-called sophisticates to realize how daunting the odds are against ensuring a dignified life for the average girl-child. Our cinema and even TV has been trivializing sexism related issues by objectifying women.

There is a need for an overhaul of our mindsets. This alone will be a deterrent enough for a potential predator. However, having strong laws and an efficient system for delivering justice are indispensable.

But, would this come about? Only time will tell.

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