The candle she lit
The time around January 1, usually dedicated to celebration, zest and hope. Although everything remains the same still one feels fresh and looks forward to a better life. Absolutely symbolic this is, no doubts but the symbols seem to have changed their meaning this time. The country is protesting- on streets, off streets, with vocal cords and without them. Brutal assault of the young girl has shaken humanity. Her demise has been followed by anger, tears, blood and grave silence.
Definitely such magnanimity does not focus solely on women’s rights; it goes far beyond -questioning the failing criminal justice system and flawed socialization in India. At another level , over million candles lit highlight complacency as a way of Indian life, weakness and vulnerabilities internalized by women folk and the physical power that rule the mind of men. We are all talking about “change” and we desperately want that, change in the way police functions, the government behaves , the courts deliver judgments, laws and mentality of men. My focus is on change in women.
In the last couple of days we have also received news regarding girls committing suicide after getting apathy of policemen, family and society. We all know this happens, if they don’t commit suicide they die every day with ignominy, guilt and shame. They are made to feel that they have been scarred in a manner that has blackened their life forever. The news channels are all up, creating catchy headlines and painful pictures. I saw most channels select a visual that shows ‘a girl bowing down covering her face’ to cover the ongoing sentiment. It is precisely this that exasperates me even more. Rape is a crime; the problem is that we forget that one who commits rape is the criminal and not the one who got raped. It is the criminal who deserves to be ostracized and punished. The trauma replays in the mind of victim and it is aggravated by the societal norms that declare that that she has lost her honour! Women are human beings like their male counterparts and the criteria to judge a woman’s honor can’t be the state of her vagina. There are physiological and physical differences between men and women and some savage men cash on them to express their superiority. They do it with physical and sexual assault. These differences can’t be eliminated but the vulnerabilities and the weakness that the women internalize due to them can be. Women need to awaken the strength within them, their honor is decided by who they are as persons. We are asking for pro activity and action on the part of policemen and the government; we are fighting for our rights and security. We want all to see and treat us as they would treat males. I think the biggest change has to be within us..how we see ourself. Our honor is ours and can only be created and destroyed by our actions. It does not lie in the hands of some insane beasts roaming out there.
“The girl” was brave, evident by the fighting spirit she displayed and the words she spoke. She wanted to live. After being assaulted in a savagely cruel manner , she was firm and wanted to see the perpetrators of crime punished. This was the candle she lit. Not only did the incident get the whole nation going, she contributed the biggest part by expressing the hope of a normal life after an incident that in India is usually followed by suicides and sub normal lives. She asserted her right to live and fight for justice. “The girl “ is no more but the flame she lit and the power that she disseminated has to burn in the heart of every woman.
Definitely such magnanimity does not focus solely on women’s rights; it goes far beyond -questioning the failing criminal justice system and flawed socialization in India. At another level , over million candles lit highlight complacency as a way of Indian life, weakness and vulnerabilities internalized by women folk and the physical power that rule the mind of men. We are all talking about “change” and we desperately want that, change in the way police functions, the government behaves , the courts deliver judgments, laws and mentality of men. My focus is on change in women.
In the last couple of days we have also received news regarding girls committing suicide after getting apathy of policemen, family and society. We all know this happens, if they don’t commit suicide they die every day with ignominy, guilt and shame. They are made to feel that they have been scarred in a manner that has blackened their life forever. The news channels are all up, creating catchy headlines and painful pictures. I saw most channels select a visual that shows ‘a girl bowing down covering her face’ to cover the ongoing sentiment. It is precisely this that exasperates me even more. Rape is a crime; the problem is that we forget that one who commits rape is the criminal and not the one who got raped. It is the criminal who deserves to be ostracized and punished. The trauma replays in the mind of victim and it is aggravated by the societal norms that declare that that she has lost her honour! Women are human beings like their male counterparts and the criteria to judge a woman’s honor can’t be the state of her vagina. There are physiological and physical differences between men and women and some savage men cash on them to express their superiority. They do it with physical and sexual assault. These differences can’t be eliminated but the vulnerabilities and the weakness that the women internalize due to them can be. Women need to awaken the strength within them, their honor is decided by who they are as persons. We are asking for pro activity and action on the part of policemen and the government; we are fighting for our rights and security. We want all to see and treat us as they would treat males. I think the biggest change has to be within us..how we see ourself. Our honor is ours and can only be created and destroyed by our actions. It does not lie in the hands of some insane beasts roaming out there.
“The girl” was brave, evident by the fighting spirit she displayed and the words she spoke. She wanted to live. After being assaulted in a savagely cruel manner , she was firm and wanted to see the perpetrators of crime punished. This was the candle she lit. Not only did the incident get the whole nation going, she contributed the biggest part by expressing the hope of a normal life after an incident that in India is usually followed by suicides and sub normal lives. She asserted her right to live and fight for justice. “The girl “ is no more but the flame she lit and the power that she disseminated has to burn in the heart of every woman.