The Story That is Being Left Unanswered for Centuries Together

16 December 2012, for the first time in Indian history the word “Sexual Assault” took to the forefront of the national interests. The issue which was often considered a taboo by the Indian masses broke free from the clutches of “Cultural Inhibitions” and walked boldly on the streets of the national capital. One single incident shook the nation to its core. One of the largest mass movements of the world took place under the title Nirbhaya which means “The Fearless”.   

Within few months, the Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2013 was promulgated by President Pranab Mukherjee, several new laws were passed, and six new fast-track courts were created to hear rape cases and within one year the number of cases reported against sexual assault have increased by 35%. In short the Nirbhaya protest motivated the women to report crimes fearlessly but nowhere educated the perpetrators of the seriousness of the crime. 

So, what is it that is present in the Indian society that has been catalysing the sexual assaults in the country? India is a land of culture and traditions. Our history lessons speak of great women like Jhansi Lakshmi Bhai and Rani Rudramma Devi who fought for their people. Surprisingly our girls are grown up under veils and purdahs. Even the tears in the maternity wards are categorized to happy and sorrow ones based on the gender of the new-born. In a country where the goddess is worshipped for the well-being of the human race, there was a growing tendency to predetermine the gender of the baby in order to silence the girls much before they get a chance to shed their first tears. 

After the Nirbhaya incident, many controversies came into the lime light. Statistics kept pouring in data which said that every one hour three girls get raped in India. Starting from the Experts right to the layman discussions kept ebbing in about the reasons behind the continuing assaults. Many politicians came out with statements of short skirts and late night outings being the core cause of the crimes. Illiteracy and poverty was targeted along with lack of sexual education and awareness. 

Asaram Bapu, a self-styled god-man came out announcing that the victim was equally responsible in the crime. “Galti ek tharaf se nahin hoti”, he proclaimed in high spirits. It is interesting to note that within few months of the incident on August 21, 2013, a young girl was sexually assaulted by the god-man when she approached him as a devotee. When god-men assault their disciples, when uncles molest their nieces, when teachers abuse their students, there can be no argument which can probably justify the statement of “it takes two hands to clap” given by the prominent representatives of the public. 

A girl in a mini skirt walking on the national highway at 10 o clock in the night gets assaulted and the nation splits into controversy over the responsibility of the girl in the process of the crime. But what logic can the nation present when two girls in their regular attire walking barefoot in the countryside at 6 o clock in the morning heading to meet their natural calls get gang raped and strangled to death? A noted politician suggested the introduction of Salwar suits as uniforms in the schools to prevent the teachers from abusing their students. But what reason could a six year old give to her physical trainer to abuse her? 

Indian women become the CEOs of well reputed companies; they become the public representatives, advocates, civil servants and get their footprints marked in the sands of time. Still, India’s Daughter becomes a rape victim whose pleas are still not addressed and whose identity is being played at the highest platform of the world television industry. Purdah system in india is abolished by teaching the girls to stare at nothing but the ground. Gender equality is established by allowing the women to work on par with the men provided that they take care of the rest of their domestic work without any hindrances. 

Sexual assaults are also being reviewed with the same air and a solution of that kind is being searched for. Women are being taught self-defensive classes, night shifts are getting removed and pepper sprays are gradually finding their place in the hands of the women. But what is being ignored is that more than 30% of the sexual abuse happens within home and quite often the convicts are known to the victims. So, what is it that we should do to protect our women from getting violated? 

My sincere suggestion is, “Instead of trying to protect them, let’s learn to respect each other. Women speak of getting harassed during travel, at work places, schools and even their own homes. When there are 914 girls for every 1000 boys why is it that not a single brother gets to hear his sister narrate her troubles at any point of time? It is because, the word Sex is a taboo for us and speaking of its violation puts us in bad light. But, is it really that bad to talk of sexual harassment with your own people when sexual assaults have become a part and parcel of our lives? 

Embryos are silenced much before they become infants, infants are silenced much before they become girls, girls are silenced much before they become women and women are silenced much before they become mute victims to their daughters’ sorrows. Let us join hands to change this scenario once and for all. Let us start speaking with our sisters, friends, mothers and cousins and do our part to push this Silent War into a chapter of history just like Sati and Jauhar.