L E T T E R S    T O    T H E    E D I T O R

How many sacrificial lambs are needed?

The Punjab police and administration waited for a rape victim to kill herself and then immediately apprehended the culprits (news item ‘Patiala Shocker: Teen ends life after gang rape’, December 28). Why wasn’t it done earlier when the rape victim approached the police with her case?

She could not bear the stigma of being a rape victim with police behaving in the most insensitive manner. She preferred death to the embarrassing questions put up by heartless and indifferent men. The police were forcing the victim to arrive at a ‘compromise’ with the perpetrators of the crime, which they generally do to escape legwork.

Since the issue got highlighted, the Opposition will once again fire salvos at the government. The administration will order an inquiry and compensation will be paid to the victim’s family.

Who will address the sorrow of the aggrieved family and the fear that it has instilled in the common man? Who will get their child back to them? How many more sacrifices does the police need to wake up from its slumber? Why are the so-called upholders of religious tenets quiet? How many innocent girls will have to die to answer these questions?

The questions of the family will remain unanswered. There are no protests and candle marches for small town girls who have faced the wrath of the beastly men.  

Col BS BHULLAR (retd), Amritsar

II

The Delhi gang-rape showcases the multi-dimensional breakdown of political, social, judicial and police system which have failed the nation. Crimes like rape cannot be minimised by creating coordinating cells or special helplines. More than 60% of our population lives in rural and remote areas where illiterate people are mostly dominated by self-styled social policing agencies like khaps, moneyed landlords, etc. Who will take care of them if such conditions exist in the cities?

The Delhi gang-rape was taken up by the media in the right earnest which brought the Delhi Government and the Home ministry on its knees. What about the hundreds of rape and other sex-related crimes happening day in and out across the country?

Our political leaders lack the political wisdom to focus on such grave issues as women safety. We need to amend laws, give exemplary punishment to culprits, start time-bound disposal of all rape related cases and stop objectification of woman in media. There is an urgent need to empower women, politically, socially, economically and legally to immunise them against such heinous crimes. The police must be made accountable for their misdeeds, rather than letting them put blame on others.

Capt AMAR JEET KUMAR (retd), Mohali

III

On the one hand our culture teaches us to treat a woman as a goddess but on the other our social dogmas are making it difficult for her to lead a free and fair life (editorial ”Gender perceptions”, December 27). It is also the height of our ungratefulness to a woman. She gives birth to us, but we are becoming misogynists. There is no gainsaying that in our society there are different parameters and benchmarks for a woman in every walk of life. Every body wants to sit in judgment on her. She is asked to go through the ordeal of fire for the sins committed by others.

It is an irony that the woman has left her footprints on the moon but we are not ready to give her due status on the earth. Unless we donot change our mindset towards her and feel and share her pain, she cannot be safe and secure in the society no matter how stringent the laws.

SATWANT KAUR, Mahilpur

IV

Time has come to rejuvenate our society. The fair sex, the backbone of a living society, is living in fear. The real demon resides in morally corrupt minds who work with full impunity. We as a society are also equally responsible for this harakiri. We need to introspect and show the zeal to bring social reforms now. We need to change the perception and not to hinder prosperity of our mother (land).

The much required impetus can be provided by the government by bringing the 3 A’s together – announcement, action and adherence. The government, police, NGOs and the common man will have to work in liaison. The Delhi shame was perhaps the last wake-up call. If we do not act now, we will soon transform ‘Incredible India’ into ‘Uncertain India’. 

AMANDEEP DESWAL, Siwanamal (Jind)

Police is not for cover-ups The haste in which the Delhi police registered an FIR against eight persons before examining the post-mortem report and without talking to the two witnesses in the death of a Delhi police constable during protests, gives an impression that it was bent upon doing so. The versions of two witnesses were ignored earlier. The post-mortem report made public appears to be fabricated in the light of the versions of the two witnesses who appeared on national TV channels. The moot point is if the witnesses are looked upon suspiciously as in this case, then it would certainly deter people from extending a helping hand to anyone in need. The police is meant for maintaining law and order and for the safety of the public, and not for cover-ups. RAVINDER SINGH, Jalandhar