Challenge of Changing Mindset

 

The United Nation says, Violence against women must never be accepted, never excused, never tolerated. Every girl and woman has the right to be respected, valued and protected. But in our country every day, thousands of women & girls are abused, raped & murdered.

I was shocked to read some foolish suggestions & funny statements made by politicians, god men & social activists on sexual violence against women. Especially the Delhi gang rape case has become an occasion for whosoever to say whatever they feel like.

Haryana's former Chief Minister suggested to "Marrying off girls early to prevent rape". Khap leader Sube Singh says, "Girls should be married at the age of 16, so that they have their husbands for their sexual needs, and they don't need to go elsewhere. This way rapes will not occur". Trinamool Congress legislator Mr. Chakraborty says "One of the reasons behind the increase in incidents of eve-teasing is short dresses and short skirts worn by women. This in turn instigates young men." Sober and dignified dress for girls are among the 11 suggestions made by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind to justice J S Verma committee on ensuring safety and security to women.

Some politicians think locking up women probably can prevent rape. "Just because India achieved freedom at midnight does not mean that women can venture out after dark", said Botsa Satyanarayana, Congress chief of Andhra Pradesh. BSP Leader Rajpal Saini’s opinion is, there is no need to give phones to women and children. It distracts them and is useless.

Most shocking statement was made by spiritual guru Asaram Bapu, he said, Delhi gang-rape victim as guilty as her rapists & the funniest statement was from Chhattisgarh Home Minister Nanki Ram Kanwar, he blames stars for the rising crimes against women. The list never ends if we discuss on the foolish comments made by politicians, spiritual gurus & leaders.

It is very unfortunate that nobody is coming up with an effective solution to curb crime against women. Everyone wants change, but nobody wants to change. Candle-light vigils, mass protests on city streets, debates in the Parliament, framing revised & stringent laws are all good & maybe useful in the future, but the need of the hour is change & the change is not just in our laws but also in our mindsets. Each and every individual should be taught to respect girls and women and treat them as equals.

Some politicians were talking about Lakshman Rekha for women, BJP’s Kailash Vijayyargiya says, women will be punished like Sita if they cross the limit. These people should understand that Lakshman Rekha was not a line which restrained Sita, it was drawn to protect her. Instead of waiting for the change in legal system let’s change ourselves. Let us draw a new Ram Rekha & take a leaf out of lord Ram’s book & start respecting women.

I personally believe that manliness lies in the manner in which he treats the women around him. There is a need to educate men so that they learn to respect women. They need to change their cheap mentality where women are merely objects used to satisfy male lust. Men's relationships with women must be based on honor & respect. Woman is the most beautiful creation of God and she should be nurtured, rather than tortured. A society that can’t respect its women can’t progress.