We have seen several incidents of sexual violence against women in the past year. Rise in number of rapes, an astounding display of inhumanity and cruelty, exposure of the incompetent system- one disappointment followed the other. But what was truly amazing was the response of the people, and no, I am not referring to the mass protests and activism, which was perhaps the only ray of hope. The insensitivity among eminent authoritative and influential figures is inexplicable; or rather the reason of the barbaric society we are a part of.
Our police commissioner advises women not to travel late at night and shrugs the responsibility of the women who do so. Asaram Bapu, a well known spiritual leader with a cult following thinks that “Those who were at fault were drunk. Had she taken guru diksha and chanted the Saraswati Mantra, she would not have boarded any random bus after watching a movie with her boyfriend. Even if she did, she should have taken God’s name and asked for mercy.” The latest statement made by Asha Mirje, a Maharashtra State Women's Commission member, where she claimed that “sexual assaults on women take place due to three reasons - woman's clothes, her behaviour and her going to inappropriate places” trumps all measures of atrocity. It is staggering to see where this statement is coming from, given that we expect some institutional support from bodies like these. I can go on but I think the point has been made- women in India are not supported by the system. Or at least, the people who are put in charge of the system think we should fend for ourselves.
Let us try to analyze if the law of the land agrees with them. According to the Constitution of India, every citizen is granted seven fundamental rights. The most prominent of these are Right to Freedom and Right to equality. We all are entitled to:
Right to equality, including equality before law, prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, gender or place of birth, and equality of opportunity in matters of employment, abolition of untouchability and abolition of titles”.
Right to freedom which includes speech and expression, assembly, association or union or cooperatives, movement, residence, and right to practice any profession or occupation (some of these rights are subject to security of the State, friendly relations with foreign countries, public order, decency or morality), right to life and liberty, right to education, protection in respect to conviction in offences and protection against arrest and detention in certain cases.
Quite clearly, women have the fundamental right to choose any legal employment offered without facing any kind of discrimination. Further, they are also entitled to the same police protection under law as men. They are entitled to move as they wish, practice any occupation, go out with whomsoever they please and live life as they feel like. Of all I could think of, I could not fathom how watching a movie at 9 pm is against public order, decency or morality.
The policemen recruited in India take an oath when they are appointed where they pledge to serve and protect the Constitution of India. Thus, it’s them who are lacking in their duties because we, as women have as much right as men to go out after the nightfall. It is surprising and remorseful that they refuse to provide the institutional support they should when it is their prime duty.
It is true that there are nations with higher crime rates, rape statistics and molestation cases. But the fact, in no way, justifies the current scenario of our own nation as we are not striving for a “relatively better” country. Safety and security are issues which need absolute attention without any sort of compromise. Every woman who is a victim deserves justice and every man who rapes is a criminal in every sense. As said by Benjamin Franklin, They who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.
Delving deeper into the issue, we are all aware of the deeply rooted patriarchy in our culture. Somehow, if we look closely, the intuitive perception of the duties of a woman are still majorly ornamental and derogatory. Women are “expected” to look attractive and submissive instead of professional and firm. And when they deviate, it is often with a pretty high cost. The society’s refusal to accept a woman as an individual, without stigmas is the root of why violence against women is acceptable. And until we do not completely understand and realize the concept of “free will” and “equality”, there is not a lot of hope for humanity.
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