It was a horrific view on the streets of Bengaluru when a policeman, “Rajaram,” in Tamil Nadu assaulted his 25 years old daughter, dragging her by the hair and kicking her in the groin, just because she had a relationship with a boy. The girl’s mother stood nearby approving of the brutality that her husband was doing. There was a big crowd watching the “Tamasha” and some were video recording the incident. Only two women, Nivedita and Archana, managed to rescue the girl taking refuge in their car. However, the policeman sat on the bonnet and did not allow those girls to drive. The girls called Bengaluru police, but the help arrived some 30 minutes later. (Source)
That brings me to a few questions:
- What kind of father and policeman this man is? Does he have any right to physically and publicly abuse his adult daughter? Or in fact, should we have policemen like Rajaram?
- Aren’t policemen supposed to be protectors of the law?
- What would have that ill-tempered father done if his daughter had a relationship with another girl? I guess, he would have probably killed the daughter.
- The mother of the girl just stood there and accused the girl for bringing disrepute to the family. What kind of mother is she and why was no action taken against the mother?
- The persons looking at the scene were just spectators. Couldn’t they have been rational beings to intervene and rescue the girl? It is hugely sad that they were not judicious enough.
- Is it fun to watch a girl being given mental and physical trauma?
- For me, this is no fun. On philosophical grounds, I would say that the silent crowd that watched the incident took reasoning shortcuts, displayed suboptimal reaction and indirectly, became a part of this shameful act.
- We, the Indians, continue to see episodes of violence against women. Let me underline the phrase, “We continue to see.” It reminds me of what Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, had once said, “You can tell the condition of a Nation by looking at the status of its Women.”
- Overwhelmed by stress and painful emotions, how would that girl rise above this gruesome incident and lead a peaceful life? The damage done to her is already irreversible.
- Is there a correct and valid reasoning why she was beaten like this on the road by her own father, who is a policeman?
- Is this incident not an example of discrimination against female children? I am sure “Rajaram” would not have beaten his son like this.
The father’s beating was totally purposeful. His purpose was to damage the girl’s resolute courage and assert that he is the authoritative and governing person in the family.
It is time we look closely at our patriarchal structure and ask ourselves, “Is India free and prosperous if nearly half of our population (women) is still oppressed?” Let me know what you would have done if you were standing in that crowd. Do not be hurried into a decision, think it over before replying!
We all time and again see that there are various intra-social rivalries, oppressive attitudes and family dissensions held against women; there are so many horrid actions that crop up in our Indian society. It is shameful that of all the rich G20 nations, India has been labelled as the worst place for women. We need to stand in solidarity against these self-inflicted tribulations? The cure of these sufferings is to a large extent in our own hands.
