About 7 years ago, there was a big scare of rapes and rapists around the states of India. Or maybe it was me. It effected me as much because of what I saw in the cover of India Today. It really scare the day lights out of me.
Maybe my memory fails me, but there was a picture of an alleged rapist in the cover story. I looked at him and the 12 year old me thought ' He looks so normal, almost like any one around!'
Well, these people do look like any layman. Obviously they won't tattoo their intentions on their foreheads, right? Just to give the unsuspecting ladies a little heads up? That was the moment when it dawned upon me that maybe I am not safe too. Maybe my safety is something I have to take care of myself.
With time, I got over my phobias and all my energy was not spend obsessing over this aspect of the society. But my oblivion made no difference to the perverts out there. The numbers have multiplied exponentially. Victims have suffered, numerous people have walked free, few have been trialled too.
In the last few days, I am personally encountered with a lot of such cases. It shocks me to see, how common it has become these days. Do men not fear the law any more? Do they have no shame, humanity? What is it that one gets from defaming a woman like that? Ruining her life? What pleasure can one possibly get?
Delhi probably has the maximum number of women who have, at some point of time, been subjected to sexual harassment or abuse. Many women keep quite. Why? They are scared. Scared of being accused. Victimized more than they already are.
I ask, Why is the women questioned? Why is it her fault? How can people even think in those lines? Maybe I am too young to understand the complexities of the Indian society or maybe the world is just not sane any more! Maybe humanity really is dead. Maybe, just maybe no one is there to help us.
Recently there have been cases of rapes which became hyped because of the reaction the authorities gave. The Gurgaon case received the comment that 'Women should not go out after 8!' Really? Is that what the world is coming to? Don't leave your homes after 8 because you are a woman and there might be men who are lurking in the dark alleys to pound on you?
I would like to know, how did man even come up with this idea of force? Who was the first man to commit this unspeakable crime? Which switch did he flip to break the hell loose on womenhood in general?
We always cry for safety. We beg for it from the authorities, from the men of the house. I want to be strong. Stronger than my ancestors. How long can we beg? Can authorities really do anything? I really hope they do. But I wish it were that simple. Male species all together needs to change their mind set. They needs to change their way of looking. Women are not objects. Not everyone is weak. AND no human, irrespective of their gender, deserves to be treated in a demeaning way.
Its 21st century people! How long did you think women are going to confide themselves to the ghar-baar? World is developing, moving forward. Don't you think its time we do too.
Its more of a respect than a rebellious thought. I want my future to be safe. I want my little niece to have a bright, safe life. I want every women out there to feel free and secure.
Fear is not fun and no women deserves to live in it all life.