The mass molestation on New Year's Eve here in Bengaluru has brought many pressing issues to light. At the outset, I don't believe that it is right to isolate Bengaluru from what is clearly a widespread phenomenon, which is, quite simply, the license Indian men seem to think they have to treat women as objects to satisfy their perverse pleasures.
One of the theories is that this is a consequence of accelerated growth toward a society that grants women the same opportunities as their male counterparts. This kind of generalisation doesn't really ring true, for while there is certainly a backlash against women growing increasingly assertive, it doesn't justify the crass mindset with which we are dealing. And as more women enter schools, workplaces and public spaces, it appears as if a significant section of Indian men are unable to deal with the shift.
Is Bengaluru paying the price for growth, then? I'm not sure I concur. Sexual harassment is prevalent everywhere, in the so-called developed countries too. It appears as if male entitlement goes hand-in-hand with market-created cultures. Donald Trump's locker room talk and his behaviour are symbolic of this trend. A great amount of discussion and awareness measures are necessary to prepare society at large for such a paradigm shift, but these are noticeably absent within the education system. Many, many households continue to favour the son, with families adopting a 'chalta hai, boys will be boys' attitude toward misdemeanours or perverse tendencies. Young men grow up feeling a sense of entitlement toward the world and women, too.
One hopes for growth in the right direction, but what we're getting is far from it. On the contrary, we are seeing a resurgence of retrograde approaches towards women. When senior political leaders speak about " tradition" and "culture" in terms of the subordinate woman whose place is within the confines of her home, when public discourse includes constant blaming women for the crimes against them, are we not collectively encouraging the harassers and molesters, the rapists and criminals?
The law must be exercised in keeping with the changes in society. Also - and this is critical - the political will to develop an environment that is safe for women, as well as the infrastructure that goes with it - is totally absent. Not only is there no political will, our leaders continue to use the most objectionable, regressive language about women and their place in society, Karnataka's Home Minister being the latest example.
One of the main reasons behind the horrendous events that unfolded on December 31 was the utter failure on the part of the police to arrest even a single miscreant that night. The lack of intervention by people in the vicinity is just as disturbing. We don't want a police state in the name of basic security! The safety and security of women depends on a combination of administrative measures and conscious, citizen-based intervention. To remain an onlooker when a girl is being harassed is to be a conniver.
The orthodox, male-oriented mindset that currently prevails is being backed by political patronage is creating an environment where women who don't conform to a certain stereotype are considered "wayward" and "asking for punishment." I call this the Sita Syndrome. If you cross the 'Lakshman-Rekha', it's open season! Women are creating their own futures, which challenges these notions in many ways. Young men and women are forced to deal with horrific acts of violence should they choose a partner from a different caste or religious community. Khap Panchayats, the so-called love jihad and every other hate-filled campaign is part of an elitist, communal train of thought. So we have a toxic combination of patriarchal, casteist and communal forces creating an atmosphere that judges women and metes out punishment.
Well it is pretty obvious, deploy police personnel who act, instead of those who believe that duty ends with swinging a few sticks. Not a single miscreant involved in the mass molestation has been arrested. They must be sitting around now, bragging about what they did that dreadful night and how they got away with it. The absence of speedy, harsh punishment has a key role in the spate of crimes against women. If there is political will, criminals can be made to pay for their misdeeds, which will have an impact on society.
If I was the Chief Minister of Karnataka I would ask the Home Minister to resign. Secondly, I would hold the police officers accountable and take action against them. Thirdly, I would budget enough funds to provide the infrastructure required in public spaces to make them secure and safe as suggested by the Verma Commission. Fourthly, I would call a meeting of women's organisations and concerned activists to involve them in efforts to make the city safer for women. And finally I would ensure a change in the educational syllabus.
Finally, to all the girls out there, I say: Speak out. Don't allow hooligans to chase you away from public spaces, determine the way you dress or speak or where you go. Reclaim your city!
As for the boys - masculinity does not mean aggression, patriarchy doesn't have to mean rape culture. Shame and name those around you who disrespect or demean women and girls, whether it is sexist talk about your colleagues or elsewhere. Make it cool to respect women, not objectify them. And come out in defence of any woman you see being harassed. Do not be an onlooker!
