Aug 10, 2017:
What is the status of women in India? The most prevalent question everyone wants to know owing to the belittlement of Indian women every now and then. Every time an illicit crime is committed, it is the women who are to be blamed brazenly. This blame gaming is not only expressed by our society but by the country's eminent leaders as well. If only our leaders will perceive the crime as an act of blame, how can we expect the nation to outgrow a divisive thinking?
In the past, the politicians of the country have delivered one deplorable remark after another about women being raped and supported the rape culture brazenly.
Let us look at crazy statements by some of these crazy leaders.
Mulayam Singh Yadav, ex Chief Minister of UP, "Ladke, ladke hain… galti ho jati hai" (Boys will be boys, they commit mistakes)
Yes. Boys will be boys because they have been taught to do so and celebrate their masculinity in every way possible. Till the time we will not hold the males of the society accountable for their licentious acts, we cannot expect the society to grow.
Tapas Pal, Member of Parliament, "If anyone from the opposition or their wives and sisters are here, then listen up, if any one of your people touches anyone from TMC I will destroy you, I will not spare them. I will send my boys and they will rape people."
Rape for rape? An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind, which is a gross advice. Retaliating with the same degree of violence worsens the circumstance.
Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal Chief Minister, "the rape cases are on the rise in the country because men and women interact with each other more freely"
If we acknowledge the rationale stated by her, then there should be no rape attempts on those girls who do not talk or mingle with boys. However, the frightful statistics released by the National Crime Research Bureau (NCRB), cases of incest rapes have increased by 30.7%, from 309 cases in 2008 to 404 cases in 2009.
Child marriage as a remedy to curtail rape is as futile as the leader who professed it. The statement was disowned across the country and received resentment.
The comment outrightly highlights misogyny in politics. The barbs flew in thick and sharp against the outrageous statement, the first to refute the statement was the politician's own son.
This statement too like other was censured amongst the public for blaming chowmein for increasing rapes. A Twitterati commented: It's funny how no one sees the Liquor stores near every traffic signal and goes on to blame Chowmein in Haryana.
This is another example of the nation's leader who expressed his views on rape without giving it a thought, which stoked a controversy across the nation. Rape is a rape, what point is the leader trying to prove by offering a definition of gang rape?
What is a 'Social Crime'? It is a popular form of lower class social resistance involving behavior characterized by law as illegal but is supported by wider society as being moral and acceptable. In other words, Rape is a rightful activity according to the politician. The statement is an encouragement to the rapists, which is immoral and unjustified.
To criticize the common people who are taking out candle march to solicit justice is untenable and insensitive. The mindset shows the inclination towards the rather than focus on the crisis.
The comment raised hackles and was viewed as an insult to the women. No wonder it was made in a sarcastic tone with regard to the other politician, crimes like rape is still a matter of high concern and should be dealt with sensitivity.
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