In December 2012, India was shaken by a brutal gang rape and murder of a 23 year old woman in a private bus in the Capital City of New Delhi. "Nirbhaya" she was named, by the millions of social activists, media and general public who took to the streets in large numbers to protest against this inhuman act. The wounds of Nirbhaya were felt by every Indian woman who loved her right to live with dignity, and every Indian man, who understands and respects this right. The people wanted justice. They wanted the perpetrators to be administered with the most severe punishment that could be given. The safety of women in India became a question of national importance.
When the law enforcing authorities could not deliver speedy justice, the Government was condemned, effects of which were seen in the General Elections in 2014, the following year. People had lost faith in the UPA Government. They were convinced, that a political party which cannot deliver justice effectively, cannot be given the reigns of the country. By a thumping majority, the Bhartiya Janata Party led National Democratic Alliance was elected to rule India.
But as we say, history repeats itself, or not yet ? Come 2018, again a year before the 2019 General Elections, India is faced by not one, but 3 cases of Gangrape and Murder. Kathau, a small village in Jammu and Kashmir, was the source of one of the most heartbreaking, horrific acts ever inflicted on humanity. The case was that of a brutal Gangrape of an 8 year old child. One of the perpetrators was alleged to be a member of the ruling party. Soon, the nation was flooded by media reports sensationalizing the issue. The fact that the girl child was a Muslim and that the Rape took place inside a temple awakened the suppressed animosity between the two religions.
This incident left a strong impact on the people of the country (or may be, this was the goal). Candle marches and campaigns were being organised in every city. Social media became the most sought after means to display their anger. No doubt, it is a good sign that the people of the nation, by voicing their opinions are now taking social issues more personally and playing a pro active role in governance. After all this is the true spirit of a democracy. But in their blind sentiment for seeking justice, are they failing to see the true picture? or might i say, the larger picture ?
Rape, no doubt, is an act which deserves the highest order of punishment. But are we forgetting, that our Indian principles also believe that punishing 1 innocent person is worse than leaving a 100 criminals unpunished. The fact that the Kathua Rape case suddenly gains media attention, comes just a year before the General Elections and involves a Hindu- Muslim angle to it, are all fumes of the fire of a larger political conspiracy.
Sensationalizing such issues only increases the frequency of the cases. The Rapists and Perpetrators are encouraged by the inefficiency and lacunae in the Justice Delivery System and feel themselves to be powerful. Are we, as the people overlooking all this ? Is voicing concerns over Social Media going to lessen the pain of the poor victims family, or even come close to serving her with justice ? or is it only going to give more power to Opposition parties and Media houses to fulfill their own selfish ends?
I leave you all with this fodder for thought. Do think about it.
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