India's Daughter

I remember one politician whose name starts with 'M' and ends with 'Singh' remarking that "Boys make mistakes and so rapists should not be hanged".

An Interesting coincidence is that a rape convict whose name is 'Mukesh Singh' justifies his crime in a similar tone.

The existence of people with mentality of 'Mr.Singh' in politics itself shows that they merely reflect the mentality of our society.

In the continuum of 'patriarchy' on one extreme and 'Equality' on the other extreme, some of us are placed close to patriarchy while some are close to equality. We are in fact part of, and also responsible for every crime which happen against women.

Dowry would have ended long back if we had stopped demanding it atleast after a prohibition law was enacted. Female foetuses would not have been aborted without the connivance of doctors and parents. Secret cam videos would not have gone viral without we sharing them in Whatsapp. Serials and movies glorifying violence against women and commodifying women would not be telecast unless we enjoy watching it. Dark-skinned women would not be ridiculed in fairness cream ads if our families don't prefer for fair-skinned bride. Khap panchayats would not have been dictating the time at which women should venture out and their dress code without our approval. Religious leaders would not have been distinguishing between rural and urban rapes without our support they enjoy.

We are completely okay when a religious leader or a politician echoes our patriarchal views. But we become hysterical when a rape convict echoes the similar views!!!

The documentary 'India's Daughter' clearly shows that crime against women is a social problem, and it is the mindset of the society which is the reason for such crimes. Stringent laws alone cannot stop such crimes, a change in the mindset among us(men as well as women) is what is needed.