These past few years have been hell for India; especially regarding the safety for women. The Nirbhaya case was an example of what sorts of psycho, anti-social elements exist in our society. The brutal and heinous crime has shaken India so badly, that it has still not recovered from that tragic incident. It brought out young women and men of India on the streets, protesting against these increasing number of crimes against women.
This has been going on for years in India. But have we ever thought the solutions to this epidemic? Yes, I am referring to this as an ‘epidemic’ because it should be considered as one because it’s prevalent in India since ancient times. It should be considered as a disease because it is killing people, disrupting and destroying their lives. But unlike any other epidemic that causes physical torture, this epidemic causes severe mental trauma. Though there’s a physical pain involved, it is much lesser compared to what the victim faces mentally. It’s a pain which you and I cannot even think of having or going through. The pain where you know someone has violated your body in the worst ways possible and disposed you like a garbage somewhere, uncovered and defenseless, with absolutely no desire to survive. And mind you, I am not just talking about female victims. This is the similar pain borne by the male and female victims, both in varying quantities.
Let’s about the ban over the documentary for a minute. We all have contrasting views over this topic and have many reasons to back up our beliefs. I too have my reasons and two contradictory views over why the ban is right and why it is wrong.
But the issue is, should the ban over the documentary be the controversy at this point of time? Shouldn’t the people be more concerned over the content in that documentary? Shouldn’t the people be more concerned about the existence of this 17th century patriarchal mentality? Shouldn’t we people think about having the feeling of realization that people- including our companions, parents, relatives, neighbors, etc., having more or less the same narrow minded opinions? Or should I list it under ‘the-victim-is-to-be-blamed’ opinions.
There was a time when my dad made me sit in front of the television to watch the entire bone-chilling horrific story of how Nirbhaya was treated that day (the year this incident happened). And I was given the advice that because such things happen, and because such monsters exist, I need to avoid leaving the house late at night and not wear pants that end at my knees but rather cover me till my ankles. This all was done under the excuse of these people having a psychotic and sadistic mentality and not being able to control themselves. But really, is this the solution to this? Isn’t this indirectly a way where we encourage these perverted monsters saying ‘go on, no one is going to do anything if you do anything with me. In fact, I am going to be the one subjected to restrictions and blamed for failing to follow these oppressive rules.’ Is that the way it is?
By looking at the way our Indian judiciary system is treating these victims, this seems exactly like it.
Tell me, why is the accused juvenile in the gang-rape case going to be freed this December? For those who’ve watched this documentary would know that Mukesh Singh himself admitted that he was the most active person during this crime. He was the one who brought the alcohol. He was the one who asked the couple to join the bus. He was the one who initiated the arguments and he was also the one who participated equally in this hideous crime. So for what reason has the Government decided to free him? Just because he was six months less to becoming 18? So you mean if this crime would have happened six months later he would have been treated like the rest of the accused in the case? Is this some sort of a sick joke played on the victim?! Is this the kind of justice that is to be given to Nirbhaya who we so fondly refer to as- ‘India’s daughter’?
Okay, agreed this man has a rough past and a bad childhood, but tell me, do we just disregard the crime he committed just by using this as an excuse? Shouldn’t he deserve the punishment of his share for being an accused in this crime? Nothing and I mean NOTHING can excuse the pain that these monsters have inflicted upon Nirbhaya that day. Even thinking about it gives me shivers. It’s disgusting to know that these people actually committed it and have absolutely no regrets for it. No guilt, no realization of your mistake, nothing. Nothing at all. In fact, this Mukesh Singh goes as far as to blame the females for the crimes inflicted against them by saying that they should follow a particular set of rules set by their repressive society in order for females to remain safe or rather ‘alive’ in this society.
If you check the rape statistics, absolutely nothing has changed after this incident. Which means people have seen, heard and contemplated over this incident, but never took a lesson from it. Or rather, this didn’t make them realize of their sexist thoughts.
The point here is that just by watching or creating a ban on this documentary and making a controversy out of it is not going to solve anything. We need to understand the message behind this. And the message which the filmmakers forgot to put in at the end (because they thought it would be obvious) was that,
“It’s high time now. It’s NOW or NEVER. This is the way patriarchy has been dictating our society and will continue to do so unless the people are not educated about it. These extreme sexist views about men and women have to change. A man is capable of having emotions. A woman is capable of taking strong and independent decisions. There should be mutual respect for both the genders in our society. Only then our country is going to progress. Only then we can assure a safe and healthy environment for the coming generations. For this, we need to make people come out of their shells in which they’ve closed themselves along with their delusional thoughts for years. This is wrong and people should be told that. They should be told how disruptive and unjust their opinions are and how they should change themselves. We need to make people aware how wrong thoughts and a faulty mentality can lead to heinous crimes like these.”
I know doing this is going to take years, but if we, the youth of India try and bring a change somewhere, regardless of how it is, it will make a huge difference. If we ever see someone ill-treating anyone under the pretense of their gender, we should intervene and make it a point to explain to them why this is wrong. Let’s all do our share and fulfill our responsibility of being Indians and most importantly, human beings. Let us all come together in this battle for equality. After all, it’s not just our battle. It’s a battle that we fight for ourselves and the generations to come.
