The past month has been especially shameful for Haryana, a state known for its falling sex ratio and increasing cases of female foeticide. 17 counts of rape in a period of 30 days is a matter of concern and shame for any government, both at the state and at the centre. While crime against women in this era of modernization is disconcerting, what makes matter worse is the lack of a clear political discourse as to how these heinous offences are to be dealt with.
Haryana has been in the cross-hairs of female rights activists for a while. With a precarious 877 girls/1000 boys sex ratio, you would imagine that the government would be proactively taking corrective measures to deal with this societal tragedy. Yet, the sex ratio for children in the state is 826 girls/1000 boys, and by some accounts, it continues on a downward trajectory. What one is dealing with here is a catastrophe in the making! Then comes the horror of September 2012, when rape incidents in Haryana made national headlines and prompted some serious questions from ordinary citizens. Unfortunately, as has been the case in the past, the principal opposition party in Haryana chose to milk this sensitive issue for political gains. One would expect insensitive remarks from the khap panchayats, the self-proclaimed old guard against erosion of 'Indian culture', like suggesting a reversion to the pathetic system of child marriages independent India had to fight against. That khaps have a feudal mindset is no surprise to anybody- they are usually composed of uneducated village seniors who prefer their women to stay inside the house and devote their lives to the kitchen. But when this mindset creeps into politics, one has to be on their tenterhooks. The powerful opposition leader, Om Prakash Chautala, has suggested that early marriages can protect innocent girls and women from rapes. When his comments sparked a controversy, and rightfully so, he retracted his incredulous suggestion, claiming that he was simply referring to the prevailing customs of the Mughal era. Well, we are not living in the 16th century anymore, in case somebody missed their memo.
To make matters worse, the sham of a government we have at the centre suggested that it is a statistic in step with the growing number of crime against women all over the world. You know what else is increasing all over the world? Female literacy and social equality. How about that Ms. Chowdhary? The truth is that the Indian society still suffers from the patriarchal mindset that should've been phased out 30 years ago. It is hard to believe that we pray to countless goddesses during all prominent festivals, and yet girls do not feel safe stepping out after dark in some parts of the country. Who can forget the shameful incidence that occurred in Guwahati this year, and was broadcast fodder for weeks? In some ways, Indian women have to become more assertive in demanding tough answers and equal rights when they are kept away from these. There are numerous brave women in our society who have defied all odds and shone like a rising star in adverse circumstances. One such example is that of the Gulabi gang, a vigilante group of women that has all but eradicated crime against women in a backward part of the country. While their methods may be questionable, there is no denying that they have been effective. It is time for the government to act up or shut up!
PS: Aamir Khan had a wonderful episode on his show 'Satyameva Jayate' dedicated to the cause of preventing female foeticide. Worth a watch!
