In every 29 minutes, a rape case is reported in Delhi (UNIFEM 2010). Besides Delhi has the dubious reputation of being one of the world’s most unsafe cities for women and to its utmost surprise, nothing is being carried out to salvage its image except a few news conferences and some unplanned patrolling. Recent cases of gang rapes have left the city shamefaced in which a 30 year old BPO employee was molested in a moving car and more recently when an 18-year old met the same fate.
However, the accused were caught by police after rigorous patrolling and checking but one can ask, is it necessary that there should be a heinous crime to wake our police officials from a deep slumber? Can’t one ask when will be the capital of India be a safe place to live like other foreign cities like Seoul?
Evident from the crimes that occurred just in a week time, point the finger towards the non-serious police officials. For instance, the Dhaula Kuan rape case in which 5 people were arrested were also booked earlier in separate crimes and surprisingly they were let off on bail. Other cases which reflect the same police apathy include the Mongolpuri rape case and Rohini stabbing episode in which a person attacked five girls with surgical blades.
Likewise, a Seemapuri woman was gang raped by six men in a moving car on 6th December but no FIR was registered by the police against the accused for two days. The action was initiated only after the doctors from GTB hospital confirmed it as a rape case.
Judicial system also lags behind in bringing the culprits to books. Few days back, a convict Mukesh Kumar was sentenced to death for raping and murdering a 14 year girl. But it took five years for the judiciary to punish the guilty. Some politicians give such incidents a U turn by portraying it a handiwork of migrants and some others blame the opposition parties which, unfortunately they are not doing it for people but for their own political gain. Statistics available with Delhi police show that 83% of people involved in crime are from Delhi, while only 17% were found to be outside.
70% of women feel unsafe in Delhi compared to Gurgaon's 65%. Survey shows that 64% of women have been personally harassed or eve teased. But what about those women whose voice is never heard or who don’t want to be named or does not have faith in the justice system. The records show that it is the eve teasers who got emboldened when they don’t get the required punishment.
And it is not only the case of our capital city Delhi. A look on the current status available in leading newspapers show that Madhya Pradesh tops the list of rape cases and Manipur is perched at the bottom. In every nook and corner of India there is eve teasing, molestation, rape and murder either by the officials or by a common man. Work place molestation is a day to day routine now and to its utmost disgrace no one is bothered about it.As per National Crime Records Bureau Data a total of 21,467 rape cases were reported in 2008, which increased substantially to 3.5 per cent over 2007. Provisional data for 2009 shows that 21,397 rape cases were reported during the year.
Madhya Pradesh reported as many as 2,937 cases, accounting for 13.7 per cent and highest of total rape cases, followed by West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh at 2,263 and 1,871 cases respectively. These states were followed by Maharashtra (1,558), Assam (1,438), Rajasthan (1,355) and Bihar (1,302). The lowest number of cases were reported from Nagaland (19).
"Rape is one of the most violent forms of crimes against women, which not only impacts her bodily integrity but in the long-run, impairs her capacity to develop meaningful personal and social relationships, and affects her life and livelihood," Minister of State for Women and Child Development Krishna Tirath said in a meeting. She said the Supreme Court had directed the National Commission for Women (NCW) to evolve a "scheme so as to wipe out the tears of unfortunate victims of rape" (Source: http://www.merinews.com/article/delhi-capital-city-or-rape-city/15839155.shtml)
So, the much-awaited and controversial Delhi SlutWalk — titled SlutWalk Arthaat Besharmi Morcha — got going on Sunday, with a loud call for society to change its attitude rather than force women to hide indoors. While it lacked the lingerie, fishnet stockings and skimpy clothing of its western versions, the march still managed to bring more than 250 supporters to Jantar Mantar with bright signs and loud chants.
The run- up to the protest had promised celebs, including Nafisa Ali and Gul Panag, but the only one who turned up was Nafisa. The actress- activist, who stressed the importance of gender equality education at home, said the movement was strengthening by the minute and that it was time the practice of blaming women for rapes and molestations was discouraged.
Source: http://in.lifestyle.yahoo.com/photos/it-s-a-start-delhi-s-walk-of-no-shame-1312183273-slideshow/
The Slut Walk has had its fair share of supporters and cynics. The women who are supporting it believe that its high time that women reacted to the vulnerability they are subjected to owing to the onslaught of baseless judgements of the society and that women should be free to wear whatever they want without being held accountable for other people’s behaviour. The criticisms are basically directed towards the name i.e Slut Walk. People feel the name is not appropriate. It is seen as insulting and derogatory. The founders and the supporters of the movement have justified the name by saying that “we want to reclaim the word ‘slut’ and use it in a positive, empowering way. Historically, it has been used by misogynists to degrade women who are sexually assertive – whilst men in the same position have been hailed as ‘studs’ or ‘ladies’ men’. We wish to make it know that women are well within their rights to have consensual sex and to display their sexuality however they like”. Moreover, in a city like Delhi, it is felt that the protest march may become a visual with no or little impact.
The Slut Walk is a good initiative and is addressing an important issue but what is required to make movements like these successful is sensitizing the society. Women should be respected and so should their rights to live their life the way they want. Read more at the website of Besharmimorcha: http://www.besharmimorcha.in/
More reference: http://www.ndtv.com/video/player/the-9-o-clock-news/slutwalk-delhi-copycat-feminism/206640
http://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2011/06/slut-walk-delhi-a-fight-to-reclaim-dignity-and-rights/
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