Guwahati Express used to be the only thing I associated with the city. Maybe I will learn a lot more about the city in future but I am sure the recent molestation incident is something that will make me cringe and shudder for a long time to come.
The first time I caught some news item on it I just left the room in a hurry - it was too much to bear. Maybe I was in denial. Then some of my friends started to discuss the incident at lunch break and this time I heard it out. Since then I have read blogs, articles and new items on this and it still creeps me out. I feel so angry in a helpless way. I can't just imagining how crushed and defeated the victim would have felt when she underwent the ordeal. Think about it, after being stripped, she ran to different people all over the place begging for help. I can't just get the incident out of my head and each time I remember it, I want to just hug my knees and crawl to a corner and shut my eyes to the world. Injustice to women happens all the time in this wretched country but this one has left me quite traumatized. I keep thinking over and over again, this could have been me. As painful as it seems, like lot of similar issues, this news would become stale in a few days and the girl and her family would be left to fend for themselves.
We always seem to say great things about "Indian culture" and how bad "western influence" is. I don't think there is a dumber thing than this one that unites Indian thinking. Next time I hear someone say this, I am surely going to pounce on them - verbally of course.
All those of you reading this, please please please teach your little boy that he has no right to touch a woman without her permission. I wonder what it is about this country that makes us teach our girls to be cautious but we cannot teach our little boys to not rape/molest. And all you mommies and daddies of little boys, please read this: http://thelocalteaparty.com/post/27192073244
The first time I caught some news item on it I just left the room in a hurry - it was too much to bear. Maybe I was in denial. Then some of my friends started to discuss the incident at lunch break and this time I heard it out. Since then I have read blogs, articles and new items on this and it still creeps me out. I feel so angry in a helpless way. I can't just imagining how crushed and defeated the victim would have felt when she underwent the ordeal. Think about it, after being stripped, she ran to different people all over the place begging for help. I can't just get the incident out of my head and each time I remember it, I want to just hug my knees and crawl to a corner and shut my eyes to the world. Injustice to women happens all the time in this wretched country but this one has left me quite traumatized. I keep thinking over and over again, this could have been me. As painful as it seems, like lot of similar issues, this news would become stale in a few days and the girl and her family would be left to fend for themselves.
We always seem to say great things about "Indian culture" and how bad "western influence" is. I don't think there is a dumber thing than this one that unites Indian thinking. Next time I hear someone say this, I am surely going to pounce on them - verbally of course.
All those of you reading this, please please please teach your little boy that he has no right to touch a woman without her permission. I wonder what it is about this country that makes us teach our girls to be cautious but we cannot teach our little boys to not rape/molest. And all you mommies and daddies of little boys, please read this: http://thelocalteaparty.com/post/27192073244
there were just so many things wrong with that video - the media channel didn;t have the decency to adequately mask the identity of the girl. that somebody shud make a video f it instead of help the girl is even more appalling - and finally the smug look of right and pride on the faces of the bastards - human character defeats me!
ReplyDeleteI simply cannot muster the courage to check out that video. The hysterical reports on TV news channels itself horrified me enough.. And what hurts the most is the reason those guys give to their animal behavior (oh no, worse actually. animals don't rape). The bullshit about their having a problem with a girl going to a pub. WTF.
DeleteAnd this is the level of depravity my countrymen are capable of. I am truly ashamed!
Thanks for this blog n Thanks for sharing the link Akka.
ReplyDeleteI think every sane woman who has heard/read of he incident feels the way that u do.
I havent had the courage to watch the video either..it cud'v been me :(
An #$%#^%$^ had the balls to write on FB that it was the girls fault, she should hv bn studying at home..I was like What..guys can party late night n not girls..yyyy
Makes me sick
I feel so sad for the poor girl n her family n those who were around n didnt help her :(
I know! I felt numb for quite a while.. our fucking Indian culture. I am going to declare see this is what happens if you expose you kid to "indian influence".
DeleteWELL SAID!! Parents play a major role in avoiding such shameful acts on women in future by nibbing down the attitude of difference in sex in early age itself. Also,little boys pick up from their father first,so I would rather request all fathers to set an example and show their little ones how must they respect the opposite sex. Such a shame!! Truly,I wasn't courage enough to even follow up what has happened to her later since I heard about this for the very first time.I still wonder what's wrong in Western culture when they have such strong laws for the protection of women,kids and elderly people and there by giving values to all lives and full freedom to opposite sex. WTF is the law in our country to protect our women and children,even after facing these issues almost in a daily basis in every state. Is our home safe? Not even a child as young as 3yr old can happily play outside without an adult supervision for it might either be kidnapped for begging or molested/abused/raped. There is no end for these...Parents much teach their child to respect and impart human values in them in early age itself as the world outside will teach the worst anyway.
ReplyDeleteThanks Vasu.
DeleteI am so so happy for Sid & Ashu that they have you for their mommy :-)
I scares the shit out of me to think about raising a child in my homeland.. how pathetic is that?
Aptly written Keets. Totally in sync with your emotions after hearing the news. I tried to avoid and not hear anymore of it too, coz it is very disturbing and scary. And bang on the "teach your sons the values too", point.
ReplyDeleteIf i may add to what you said, women please isolate these men who are known sex offenders. They should know what they did is wrong! I just keep thinking that these men r going to be married tomorrow and go on with their lives and there will not be an iota of guilt. That angers me.
Ditto here Preethika.. Women should stop saying that men have needs.. "men will be men".. and "I will not wear jeans then I won't get molested"..
DeleteLike i read in another blog (Indianhomemaker, this is what probably happened:
"Criminal; Sir, We were just teaching that girl a lesson, why are you arresting us?
Policeman: I know yaar! what to do? These media people just don’t keep quiet. What to do? Just manage for a few days, then media will forget and we’ll set you free.
Criminal: The real culprit is the girl! She was going to a PUB with boys! Bringing shame on our culture."
Sad thing is that it probably happened too..
I know Keets! The thing about India is ..I can deal with red-tape,the dirt etc etc.But in my opinion the worst thing about our country is it's hypocrisy when it comes to women.She is responsible for the crimes that happen to her.I am shocked several times when I hear these same sentiments echoed by some people from affluent,well educated backgrounds.The despair just clouds me sometimes..and I feel afraid to raise a girl child here.
ReplyDelete