CRIMES AGAINST WOMEN: My Thoughts

An Indispire Topic

Well Firstly, I’d like to thank Ms. HAIMANTI DUTTA RAY for the topic. This is one topic where I have some hard views and one topic that I am very firm about. Endless debates, endless news updates, there doesn’t seem a ray of hope to this darkness that has loomed over our country in particular. Well, statistics do say that one girl gets raped every 22nd minute. This is probably the most disheartening statistics that a free nation can project. However, much to the wrong assumptions of India being termed ‘the rape capital’ today, there is a positive side to this. The fact that, with an increase in education, with widespread awareness and the boldness that has crept into the systems of the women in the country, there are more number of instances that get REPORTED than hidden. The conviction rate is around 24%  of the reported cases which is seemingly better as compared to a 7% or 10% of the reported cases in UK and France respectively.

Having said that there are fundamental differences to our society as compared to a western society.

Firstly, we belong to the land that worships women. It is depressing to see the respect lost for women over time. For they are more idolised these days are sex symbols than fellow human beings, thanks to Indian Cinema. If only you depict women in powerful characters than in item numbers and clubs/discotheques, shall the respect for women improve. I would also blame heroines who are ready to get exploited for money. If they were good citizens, and do have concerns over the nation, they would not give their consent to do roles that have no roles but exposure, literally. The result of this, do not affect the silver screen sweeties, but drive the desires and attention of males towards common women.

The male brain functions in an entirely different manner. A woman’s dressing definitely does catch the attention of males. We belong to a society that is not totally used to short skirts and tight blouses. Our code has traditionally been good enough to cover a woman up (mostly) like a saree or a salwar. I am not  trying to tell that a woman in a free society shouldn’t sport such dresses. But yes, in the interest of her own safety, it is better a woman first prioritizes her security over fashion. At least try wearing such dresses to ‘elite’ places and not just walk on the roads sporting them. Not in the night, definitely. It is upto you to first safeguard yourself than walking in rallies later seeking protection. I do not want to here support the motion that says ‘Don’t get raped instead of Don’t rape’. I only request women to take care of themselves.

Other reasons, of course lie with the rapists themselves. There are a number of reasons for a person to rape a woman, either individually or in a group. These range from reasons as lame as chauvinism – the inability to accept women in a modern day atmosphere. The inability to see a modern woman, holding a senior position and the drive to dominate her, only to prove the male supremacy. This especially in a group is going to make things far more worse because of the reassurance of different hands laid in the crime. With changes in the society, there definitely do pop up extremists and characters that fail to adhere to the regular behavior. Such cases turn out to be involved in horrendous crimes as this.

The Law: I personally feel a five year imprisonment as given currently, does not do much or act as a deterrent. A capital punishment is definitely necessary to bring down increased rates of rape. Spare the rod, you spoil the man, a woman’s life and the society.

And The Goddamn Activists who spoil things for the nation. There are these Mother Teressas of our nation who are against any capital punishment and who feature in TV debates and talk high. Maybe they would realise the pain and the depth of such instances in a woman’s life if they/their loved ones experience it. When a juvenile can commit as big a crime as rape, why protect him under juvenility? Why protect a man who had behaved like an animal against capital punishment? Why can’t a person be hanged for the crime committed? Politicians have their own role in supporting, encouraging rapes or discouraging capital punishment – both of which aren’t going to do any good to the nation.

The society’s perceptions on women have to change. They should be respected as individuals than sex symbols. I can go one step further and say dowries are also a reason for such objectionable behaviour. If You trade a woman for money and riches, how would you respect her?

Let us join hands, create awareness and educate our children to be better citizens and nice human beings.

 Real Men Do not Rape!