IS THERE HOPE IN SOLIDARITY?

Beti Padhai, but could not save her! Waking up to the horrendous news of a rape and murder of a woman doctor was shattering. The gruesome way she had been brutally raped and murdered speaks about how inhuman society has become. How long can men get away with such barbaric acts where even the beast will feel ashamed? What the doctor must have gone through when the monsters were ripping her modesty apart, and how come no one heard her cries? How can the workplace be so insecure for a working woman? Are these the signs of development and progress?These are some of the questions which come to mind. The life of this aspiring doctor was cut short by this rape and murder. Imagine the healers do not feel safe in their environment. 

The power of people took charge in the form of protests, angry young medics were on the street fighting for a safe environment. Protests encompassed both men and women gave hope for the solidarity as women deserve better. There was a time when it was easier to brush a rape case under the carpet and the victim was stigmatised. This is no longer the situation, society is moving on. The agonised and spontaneous response is forcing the authorities to take action. How long can women take the nonsense? When the power of people did get some results in the case of Nirbhya, there is a chance of something concrete coming out of the doctors around the country asking for justice. 

The same power brought about results at the time of Nirbhya a decade ago, where Criminal Law Act, also known as Nirbhaya Act strengthened penalties for sexual offences, introduced the death penalties for repeat rape offenders, and enhances provisions for the protection of survivors, including stricter definitions and punishments for crime such as rape and stalking. Due to the Juvenile Justice Act of 2015, after the Nirbhaya case, the age at high violent offences such as rape may be tried as adults was lowered from 18 to 16. 

The case being handled by the CBI and the Supreme Court of India’s decision to take suo motto cognisance of the case are steps in the right direction where the three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud has constituted a National Task Force led by senior medical professionals to formulate comprehensive safety protocol for healthcare workers across India. The action plan, according to SC must ensure the safety and well-being of medical professionals. Health Ministry too announces a series of measures to provide additional security to healthcare employees at the workplace. 

FAIMA deciding to call off the strike following positive directions from CJI and SC directing that no coercive action against the peaceful protestors and urging the protesting doctors to resume work are the steps in the right direction wherein the power of people is bearing results. The sliver of hope should not get lost in making it a political issue. Nothing should be able to override the dignity of women. Women deserve justice and do not want to be just treated as beneficiaries of free bus tickets. It is high time culprits are lynched in broad daylight so that another one will shiver before committing such a heinous crime. It scares not only the ones of the recent case but a warning for the future on anyone who dares to do it. 

At the same time, we have to address the underlying reasons.  Parents have to stop pampering a child just because he is a boy. Before saving our daughters, let us teach our sons equality from a young age and not spoil them as if they are extraordinary beings who are superior to the girls. From a young age boys have to know that if they make a mistake, they will be punished so that they do not get away with committing crimes when they grow up.