When PM Narendra Modi stated his goal an year back of a
Congress Vimukt Bharat, it seemed distant and unreal.
In just about an year's time, the way Congress shrunk into irrelevance, the Modi mission seems almost accomplished.
There was no better stage for NaMo to demonstrate his complete command over Indian politics than the US President's visit.
In yet another instance of marketing genius, NaMo pulled off a coup by showcasing women power during the visit.
It was a proud moment for Indian women. A day on which in one of the most keenly watched events in the world, they showcased women
power, by leading contingents in areas hitherto considered male bastions, the
armed forces.
From the moment Wing Commander Puja Thakur became the
first woman officer to lead the guard of honour to the roles essayed by
Lieutenant Hoabam Bella Devi, Lt Commander Swetha Kapoor, Lt Varthika Joshi and
Captain Divya Ajith in the parade, it was a feast for the heart. There was no better way India could have demonstrated that it is a super power in the making, with gender diversity and empowerment.
In just one day, it exalted the status of Indian women.
Commendable though it was, it hid an ugly truth of the Indian society.
The truth of how unsafe women are when they become common
citizens. The same decorated officers who could take on our enemies head on
would possibly think twice before boarding an auto rickshaw in, say, Delhi.
Women’s safety in India is such a concern that parents
worry about their daughter’s safety, brothers about their sister’s, husbands
about their wives..
While across the border the enemy is visible, at or near
home, the enemy is unknown. It could be a bus driver, a college classmate, a
gym instructor in a school, a road side
romeo or one’s own uncle.
Every woman who works, studies or travels for fun has a
lurking fear that there could be a molester hiding somewhere close.
This fear psychosis makes moms accompany girl children to
school, women rush back home when it is getting dark, avoid
cabs, avoid empty spaces, avoid crowded places, avoid dressing smartly, avoid
revealing their identity, avoid befriending men easily. The list is endless.
This fear plays up everywhere.In a busy street, at a busy hour, most young women cover their faces lest their identity be known or their face draw unnecessary attention.
How can a country prosper if 50% ( and dwindling
fast) of its population lives in the
fear of the unknown?
Should we not put an end to this shame in our journey to
super power status? Should not the heinous crime of an attack on a woman be dealt with more firmly?
A molester harms the society in many ways.
He scars a women for life, destroys her happiness and in many ways takes the
soul out of her life. Every molestation
makes more women scared, making them more afraid and
renders them less productive as they worry more about security and well being. Every crime committed on women scares women that much more.
A molester, in a way is a social terrorist. He creates a
fear psychosis.
Should he not be treated exactly the same way a terrorist
is treated? Through death?
If India really cares for the girl child, it should
create an environment where the child can grow freely. This is the only way the country can have a solid future.
This is only possible if any and every molester pays for
the crime with his life.
A government that promised and delivered a congress Vimukt Bharat, can it usher in a
Molester Vimukt Bharat by punishing with death the social terrorists?
Rid of crime, India would truly be Swachh Bharat.
