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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