Trigger Warning: Rape
Every morning as we open our eyes wanting to look at a fresh morning, it’s still the same news on television-“A girl gang-raped and killed”. What changes is the name of the state or the number of men raping an innocent girl.
How many more such incidents to occur before it becomes the 1920s all over again where women had no option but to be timid and scared to go out alone at any time of the day? Who should we trust in this world- Women, who sometimes are the enemies of their own kind, or the men who slut-shame the women like they always do? So, how many more petitions do we write? How many more candle marches do we proceed with to seek justice for every woman before these monsters finally realize a woman’s worth?
I woke up on September 16, 2020, to this news on Hathras Gang Rape case, where a 19-year old Dalit girl was gang-raped by four upper-caste men. The girl was pulled by a dupatta around her neck which caused her broken spine, and when she tried to resist them, they forced themselves upon her. When the girl’s mother came looking for her she found her lying on the ground. They went to the nearby police station, but all they got in return was nothing but humiliation.
The police inspector allegedly claimed their allegations to be false and insulted the girl. He allegedly claimed it to be a way to create inter-caste tension. She was taken to a local hospital, but unfortunately, she succumbed to her injuries and died 15 days after.
Honestly, I wasn’t surprised to hear the news, because that’s where women belong in this society right? They are just some sex toys for men which they can use whenever and wherever they want. Why are women always oppressed by men? These men suffer from insecurities about women overpowering them. Why can’t women be what they want, do what they want, for once? Why do we have to think about what would the society think- the same society which does not even think of seeking justice for us. Now some would say not all men, yes but what about the few who are enough?
People can easily judge and blame women for everything, be it our dressing sense, or the way we talk, it’s always going to be our fault. But what those people fail to see is that even the ones who wear saris or salwars are not spared as well. It’s not us who are ‘asking for it’, it’s the men who can’t control their urges, who think that a woman is public property. Why can’t women go safely around the city when the boys can do whatever they want? Why can’t the parents scold their sons and keep them inside at night, so that the girls can be out?
How many more days before every road and every place would be safe for all women at night, how many more days before no women have to feel self-conscious about what they wear when they are around men? How many more days before we can walk shoulder to shoulder with them?