That all the talk of stringent action against rapists has done little is evident from the many rapes reported even in the past few days
That all the talk of stringent action against rapists has done little is evident from the many rapes reported even in the past few days
After a week of angry protests on the streets of New Delhi and across the country, the Centre appeared to act with some alacrity on Wednesday evening, transporting the 23-year-old victim of the horrific Delhi gangrape incident to a reputed multi-organ transplant speciality hospital in Singapore.
While doctors at Singapore’s Mount Elizabeth Hospital, where she was admitted early on Thursday, said her condition was “extremely critical”, at least some action was taken to ensure the best possible medical care for a young woman now the focus of nationwide rage over heinous crimes against women. Had the Centre and the Delhi government acted swiftly much earlier, and had been seen to be doing so, it might have better contained the outpouring of anger and grief over such brazen acts targeting over half the country’s population. Unfortunately, though, those in positions of authority appeared to think this spontaneous outpouring of public fury could somewhow be contained through crude police action like the use of water cannons, teargas and lathicharge rather than a genuine attempt to confront the issues squarely.
The Union government was seen in poor light in both the handling of constable Subhash Chand Tomar’s unfortunate death and the mass demonstrations at India Gate that appeared to visibly rattle much of VIP Delhi. Also apparent in the blame game between the Delhi chief minister, the police and bureaucrats was lack of focus on the key issues involved: enacting of effective laws and procedures across the country to tackle a menace now assuming epidemic proportions.
The cause célèbre this gangrape incident has evolved into has spawned a new social phenomenon that owes little to political parties or traditional leaders: possibly that is why the political class appears clueless. That all the talk of stringent action against rapists has done little to stem men’s carnal desires is evident from the many rapes reported even in the past few days — two in Tamil Nadu, one in Uttar Pradesh and another between Vrindavan and Delhi. The authorities must create a buffer infrastructure of stiff laws, gender-sensitive policies, trained personnel and coordination with self-help groups to offer genuine protection to a vulnerable segment. The gag order to some TV channels not to inflame passions appears misdirected: has someone forgotten that it is because of the intensive media coverage of the brutal crime and the resulting protests that some action is finally taking place on a major national problem?
