Stains on Sanity
The figures on incidents of rape and dowry-related murder in 1998, released yesterday by Odhikar, a human rights coalition, surely come as a severe jolt to the collective consciousness of a nation keen on gender equality and protection of women at all walks of life. The staggering numbers -
860 rapes and more than 80 murders - have a disturbing undertone: we have not done anything towards ensuring security of women in the society. Endless series of seminars and symposia has been nothing but a conscience-salving outlet used after any spite in the incidence of rape and dowry-related murders. Speakers on different occasions have suggested ways and means for protection of women yet there has not been any marked improvement in this area. We are enraged and, at the same time, sad because we believe that these numbers actually leave indelible stains on our collective sanity.
Even more disturbing is the revelation that 16 of the rape victims were violated while in 'safe' custody of police and BDR personnel. In one incident, three BDR men violated a 14-year-old girl while in another five police constables raped a 28-year-old woman. Such revelations entail obvious questions: who have we put our faith in for security? When the custodians of law, instead of punishing the culprits, become culprits themselves, who do we turn to for protection?
We hope the people who matter will take note of the Odhikar survey report and the probing questions it entails: why, despite all the extant laws for protection of women, is the incidence of violence and violation on the rise? Why the system is not working? How can it be made to work again? How can people's faith be restored in the custodians of law? If and when they have the answer, we truly believe, stains on our collective sanity will be erased by the smiles from safe and secured women.
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