Crime and Punishment

Crime and Punishment

We read in the newspapers everyday about the crimes and violence taking place in various parts of the world, some war ridden, some in the dark world of Africa or places that seem too far away for us to be scared or feel unsafe. But when the same crimes happen on our turf – the civilised and educated world, where  we live under the illusion that we are safe, it finally hits home.

The news of a girl brutally gang-raped in a moving bus –brought back memories about how unsafe it is for women in India. Nothing has changed. Twenty years ago, growing up in a relatively safe part of India, I remember getting into arguments with my mother as to why was I supposed to be home before dark. Her fear for my well-being was intensified by what I believe to be every single girl’s experience of some sort of molestation – bottom pinching, being pushed, blatant staring; all a part of daily life. You learn to live around it – sort of being a girl hazard – always alert and aware of dangers lurking not only in the dark, but during daytime too. And of course, you keep quiet about it – nobody talks-and shame and guilt about how you could have prevented it sets in. There are perverts in all cultures and all societies, but if the pervert knows that his actions have no repercussions, he becomes bolder and more pervasive.

This gruesome rape – with the girl still fighting for her life, has resonated with most women in India – the worst nightmare of a parent. It is horrifying and reflects the decaying of a society. Indian movies generally depict that a girl loses her honour, when she gets raped – a shame for her family with rape depicted as forced sex –that’s it. This particular incident has thrown light that it’s just not forced sex, but an act of aggression that violates every boundary of being human. We have seen violence against women used as a tool in war – Sudan, Afghanistan and other parts of the world – some using acid, some chopping of ears and of course rape to show their dominance towards women.

It was all the more appalling to read that one of the guys had already been charged with rape in some other case- and was still free on the streets. Violence against women is something that will only change when we act fast against criminals and appropriately punish them. We need in India a judiciary with women judges and lawyers to make more women willing to come forward and report. We need the criminals to be punished instantaneously- in the lines of court –martial. A nightmare relived repeatedly is a punishment to the victim not the aggressor.

My heart and prayers go out to this brave girl who is fighting for her life, and her family and also to all those other girls out there violated and living in shame in silence. May the New Year empower women all through the world – to live like a “person “ with equal rights.

What are your views on crime against women and what can we do to prevent them ? Waiting to read all your views.