On the December 31 last year, all over the world, people of all races, ages and sexes flooded the streets to say goodbye to a year gone by and to ring in a new one. Filled with hope and joy in thanksgiving for what 2016 brought. In India, we woke up to a new age too. Not walking, but leaping back in time, stooping to an all new low and finding ourselves not at the dawn of a new beginning, but at an impasse where ancient Indian patriarchy refuses to let go of the reigns and continues relentlessly to hold us back, refusing to let us move forward to make for a better tomorrow. On the faithful New Year’s Day, we woke to the shameful news of women being groped and molested in not a tiny village no one has heard of, but in one of the most advanced of cities in this nation.
In a country that prides itself on the shoulders of Goddesses that rule every aspect of life, we sure seem to have got a few facts wrong. Of course, why worry, we have law makers and upholders who will save and protect us. No sorry, sadly the people we have voted into office, actually believe that the girls who got out of their homes at night to ring in the new year in their ‘western’ influenced garb actually invited all that trouble. The objectifying of women is the one constant this country will never quit. The double standards are also absolutely appalling. As per those highly placed MLAs the girls should not have been there in the first place. The boys weren’t at fault; the poor guys were just doing what they were expected to do. Like if you dangle a carrot in front of a rabbit, it is definitely going to bite. Well, just putting that on paper makes me sick to my stomach. Just knowing that there are people out there who actually nodded along and agreed with this nonsense, parenting the citizens of tomorrow, is a scary thought and an even scarier reality. Over the weeks that ensued, I had the opportunity to speak and listen to a number of people and their views on the same. It is clear that the views that are the most prevalent are the ones that propagate a very chauvinistic ideal. Sadly, it is not only male chauvinism we need to be aware of.
The so called educated population too, didn’t think twice before repeating how it was uncalled for danger when a girl steps out of her house at a late hour. This chauvinistic ideal is deeply ingrained in us. As women, we too have accepted this norm as our reality. There are those who refuse to be held back by such regressive thoughts, but sadly, all of society shuns these brave individuals and labels them. The fight for our basic rights as women has suddenly turned into an all out debate, Why? Isn’t it the duty of our system to protect every citizen? on any given day, as a citizen of this country, why do I feel unsafe walking out at whatever time it is? And why oh why does everyone feel that it is okay to educate the girls on what to wear and how to behave but the poor boys aren’t even given basic training on how to behave around women? On that evening, none of the women went out thinking they would be in danger. Is this the way we want all our women to feel? Unsafe and undervalued.
Now for some hard hitting statistics. In 2015, data suggests that there was an average of six rapes registered everyday, with 2,095 cases reported till the December 15 that year. The same website also indicates that 5,192 cases of molestation and 1,444 cases of eve teasing were also registered that year. I’m pretty sure data of 2016 will give us much more to gasp about, and given the way we kicked off 2017, well nothing need be left to the imagination. We seem to be watching the graph do all sorts of dangerous looking summersaults but no one seems to be motivated enough to do anything about it. It looks like the only thing we can do is make a noise. As citizens of this country it is a right we have to demand security. We have our government talking about a better life and better days to come. The honest, law abiding citizens pay their taxes and do things according to the book. When we were told to demonetize and then remonetize, we did. Now it’s time for payback. It is time we get our due. Keeping quiet equals acceptance, and hey, we women aren’t going to take this lying down anymore. Raise your head, raise your voice, band together and join the fight.
