When we were studying Political Science, the Executive, the Legislature and an independent Judiciary had well established roles as per the Constitution of India which is one of the most comprehensive and democratic of its kind. But what can even the best document do when the humans who are its custodians are gradually stripped of their personal value systems and principles?
A country is as good as its people. So, a country is all about what its people are and what the people are or become depends on the quality of people who govern the country. Discipline and setting trends is definitely the responsibility of those who govern.
Democracy stands on the pillars of responsibility and accountability. We have seen massive erosion in both over the last few years. The media is crying foul on real life rape cases happening in some states. They are heinous and unpardonable crimes tantamount to violent abuse and therefore, intolerable. The callous and casual statements from those in power positions are not only deplorable but evidence of their attitudes towards women in general.
But, is this the only rape happening in our society? Aren’t we also guilty of the most terrible mental and emotional rape? In fact, the whole humanity needs major reforms for any other reforms, whether electoral, labor or any other kind, to succeed in the wider spectrum of the word “success” which should incorporate , above all, success based on human and spiritual principles. We tend to ignore this most important foundation for all action.
It has been the degeneration of the moral fiber of the few at the top that has forced the common man to be dishonest to survive in a corrupt system. I am not condoning this for a moment, but survival issues have rendered honesty very helpless. We know that for any nation to find its place in the sun, first, the ethical and moral benchmark of each individual is imperative. Where custodians of law become perpetrators of crime, there has to be an initiation of human reforms through a strict code of discipline.
It is pathetic that people from all professions have been indicted for rape, corruption, scams, obscenity in speech and criminal activities and an obvious conclusion, therefore, is that they cannot be role models by any stretch of imagination. Of more crucial importance is the fact that indictment and reforms need to go hand in hand to create a cleaner environment for rapid development. The impression of an attractive window dressing is short lived if not backed by a credible and superior product line. Similarly, we cannot sweep these issues under an expensive carpet anymore.
I return to the subject of the mental, emotional and physical rape of the woman. So many women are still living under these conditions due to a lack of empowerment, as second and third class members and often, without being given a class even. The cases of rape that find a place in media reporting don’t even constitute the icing on the cake. There are husbands raping wives, family members molesting their own younger family members. There is a rape of the very core of each person who resorts to these inhuman crimes. Are these depraved minds or minds deprived of spirituality and distorted out of recognition? Are these people who have either not been taught to love and respect or have lost faith in the human touch, a heart connection?
Whatever the case, the bottom line is, this cannot carry on and change through reforms and stringent measures against defaulters are imperative. Every woman needs to be given back her right to be respected and cared for as much as she is expected to care for her family and colleagues at the workplace. She needs to be given her right to information, education, equality and equality of opportunity. And if this is violated, she should have an effective recourse to justice.
Surekha Kothari
Speakingtree Blog: www.speakingtree.in/public/surekhakothari
No comments:
Post a Comment