Don’t blame Western Culture for condemnable acts
Thousands of revellers had gathered in and around Mahatma
Gandhi Road and Brigade Road to ring in 2017. But, according to reports, a
large number of women were sexually assaulted around midnight. Bengaluru police
have taken up an investigation based on the reports of women being groped and
physically attacked. Another incident is related to CCTV footage showing a
woman being grabbed as she makes her way home in a residential street before
she pulls herself free and escapes.
The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013, had sought to bring
clarity to the continuum of sexual offences and to simplify procedures for
women to bring them to the attention of the police.
In India the man-woman relationship has always been a
conundrum. To cite a very simple example, in rural areas, a man does not take
seat alongside a woman in a bus. If anyone ventures to do so, it is a rarity,
the other passengers would stare him as if he has done some offence punishable
under law and this would make the woman squirm in her seat.
ISIS made news by attacking Turkey on New Year, molesters in
India made news by molesting Bengaluru women. Not much difference between those
terrorists and these molesters. Both these bad elements need to be removed from
the society in some possible way.
While agreeing that it is the responsibility of the state to
ensure security of its citizens, it is also enjoined on us to be vigilant and
prudent to ensure our own safety by avoiding certain places /situations/ times.
It may not always be possible for hundreds of policemen to control thousands of
mob.
Governments, Central and States, legislators and police
should put in a system of volunteers-citizens police consisting of both men and
woman to intervene and support the regular police to act and deliver justice.
Citizens and police apathy emboldens the criminals and miscreants. Media-visual
and print, film directors, producers, script writers, actors and writers should
act responsibly by not glorifying male chauvinism and sexual misbehavior. Swift
justice delivery system also can contribute as a deterrent. Firm actions need
to be taken in true spirit.
The incident and the unfortunate reaction of people with
authority coupled with familiar post incident quite mostly coloured with
callous attitude provide an unprecedented and horrific degree of legitimacy to
such condemnable acts. This only provides a sense of righteousness to the
current and future offenders. Moreover, in a different context this is a
glaring example of pan-India unity. Whatever be the place, social, economic
background women are treated all the same.
The remark of the minister is the replica of a many coded
male hegemonic society where women are treated as objects. This mindset in a
political leader with responsibility may be a blot on the political system. The
frequent comments on ' dress' should be protested by the civil society as it
hides the perverted mentality of people who blame the dress. It is become a
fashion to frequently blame 'Western Culture' and 'dresses'. The easiness with
which such incidents are brushed aside by authorities in the name of western
culture and victimization of the victim is a sad and horrific reality which
needs to be condemned and rectified. There is no need for the girls to change
their Western dresses or culture because that is not reason for their sexual
harassment. If anything is changeable that is the mentality of people.
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