Saturday, June 6, 2009

Enough Is Enough

India may be changing its economic activity but the forces of this emerging super power have not changed their attitude towards women. The country that does not respect its women is doomed.

We spend millions of our tax rupees to enforce law and order in Kashmir. But, unfortunately the main stream media does not cover issues that highlight the pain and sufferings of the common people. The only thing it re-emphasizes is that there exists a state patronage for troops to commit rapes as well as other human rights abuse; there exists inhuman acceptance within the civil administration for this to happen and in that they are ready to defend and stand by the troops.
The only word that comes to mind in such circumstances is: Shame.Not for those who have already sold their souls and sing the tunes of their masters.Shame on us who have no choice but to stand silent; who cannot hit back and say its not about the percentage of army or other troopers being talked about or defending them; its about the palpably vulnerable lives of our daughters and mothers.Its not about damned statistics which are just an eyewash concocted in the backwaters of state oppression and sterile bureaucracy for a fantastic use such as this.

Many rape survivors want to see the rapist punished, and protect others from being victimized. Our society should make a clear statement that rape is a crime that will not be tolerated. Playing a part in the rapist's arrest and conviction can make a woman feel more powerful and less like a helpless victim. As more and more Kashmiri women break out of the shackles that bind them to their homes, seeking opportunities in the world outside, crimes against women from murder and rape down to eve teasing and sexual harassment are also increasing.

If crime against women is on the rise, worse is the growing apathy of society at large, which appears increasingly obsessed with itself, indifferent to the plight of fellow citizens. If women today can be attacked in public spaces, can they ever venture out without fear in the very cities that afford them the best opportunities?


They say a woman is the one, who brings us to life. They say a woman is the one, who takes care of us when we are in trouble, and they also say a woman is the one, who can sacrifice her life for her family but the question is, what are we doing for that woman?
The suffering of women in Kashmir is symbolic of the suffering of women worldwide.It has happened before and it will happen again but we need to consider many questions. For how long can we remain the silent spectators of grave injustices? And what we as Kashmiris are doing to save our own women from such crude brutalities? Can we afford to remain silent on such a grave crime? We need to look for answers before its too late.