As I write this article, I am shocked, deeply disturbed and outraged by the fact that one of the rapist in Nirbhaya case is out of jail thanks to a technical reason of him being a minor when the gruesome crime was committed!
As much as I try to detach my emotions from the reason lest it gets clouded, I can't comprehend how a criminal who is capable of committing heinous crimes like rape and barbaric violence can be treated as a minor on basis of sheer technical aspect of law? I am no expert on Indian judiciary hence won't question it but I must say, it failed to do justice to Nirbhaya by letting a juvenile criminal off the hook. I shudder to think that Nirbhaya is no more and one of the culprits responsible for her death is roaming free amidst us, without having been really punished for the actual crime he committed and we have to live with that harsh reality.
Juvenile delinquency is an issue that has suddenly come to light post unfortunate Nirbhaya case. The statistics show that these crimes are on shocking surge and no more just isolated incidents in India. Looking at horrific juvenile crimes one reads about almost every passing day, we need to seriously contemplate if any amendments need to be introduced in juvenile acts. It is dangerous to let go juvenile criminals without taking appropriate action that is considerate of impact of the crimes committed and sets an example so that others dread to commit such crimes.
I was going through a documentary made on convicts in Nirbhaya case by a journalist last year and the excerpts from the interview of one of the convicts are painfully shocking and while it might brew our blood, it is imperative to check if we are teaching our children right values.
In Nirbhaya case, media has done remarkable work by making it a mission to bring the whole issue to light right from the day one. Social networking sites have never stopped buzzing and whole Nation is outraged by the sheer brutality of the crime that prompted everyone to speak up and be part of collective conscious.
My inbox is full with invitations for candle light marches, signature campaigns for changing amendment in juvenile act and a few talks on the subject. Is it enough? With the way crimes against women are growing I feel, the culture of mass protests doesn't serve much purpose except serving as mere 'feel good factor" in appeasement of our collective conscience. Any means of protest has to be used appropriately to hold potency to provoke discourse and bring the necessary change.
Every
single day, we read about inhuman acts of sexual perversion, abuse, kidnapping,
rape, incest, burning, acid attacks, dowry deaths, and so many gruesome acts of
oppression of women, across all categories and class, that such news sound very routine.
Rapists don't belong to any
particular city, caste or community. This is a kind of breed is product of
environment, that treats women as commodity, to be used, abused and treat
inhumanly without iota of guilt or shame. Such mindset gets nurtured from very
formative years that deeply ingrain the message that men are superior to
women.
We don't like to admit openly but the truth of our social reality is in female infanticides being devoured by sewage from rural as well
as global metro cities. Our reality is in charred bodies in dowry and tandoor deaths. Our reality is, painfully disturbing, rotting stench
of female foetus and the hanged bodies of "honour killings". Of course, gender politics and the comprehension of equality and humanism needs to be addressed urgently today. But, changing reality needs changing mindsets, attitudes and behaviour.
Judiciary is not my forte but I hope Nirbhaya case compels Indian judiciary to bring necessary changes so that criminals don't get away and the organized crime networks don't take advantage of such juvenile acts and pose grave danger to society. I hope we also learn to address the major issue of juvenile rehabilitation seriously. It is sad that we lack basic education in humanity and forget that education starts from home.
R.I.P Jyoti Singh. You certainly didn't deserve to die !!!
