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Women continue to be harassed & denied equal rights in India

By Brij Bhardwaj. Dated: 4/7/2015 6:12:54 PM

Shameless politicians continue to embarrass the nation with their racial and anti-women remarks showing that their thinking has not changed over the years. Such remarks are not only out of place, but they also show a deep rooted prejudice against the fair sex. It is true that women in India are worshipped and occupy high offices, but it is also a fact that our national capital is also known as "rape capital" in the world where women of all ages are victims of such uncivilised behaviour.
In recent week we saw politicians sinking to new depth when a Central Minister Giriraj Singh said that Congress party would not have accepted Sonia Gandhi as President of the Party if she was not a European, but a Nigerian woman. This has evoked sharp reaction and has been condemned by all. Mr Singh was also pulled up by a senior Minister in Union Cabinet and asked to apologise. He, however, only issued regret instead of an apology.
Mr Singh is no stranger to controversy as during the elections he had said that all those who oppose Mr Modi have no place in India and should migrate to Pakistan. Another veteran leader Sharad Yadav during the debate in the Lok Sabha had stateds that women from South may have dark complexion, but they have beautiful bodies because they dance. Another Socialist leader Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav in his election speech had stated that boys guilty of rape should not be given harsh punishments for having made a mistake.
Goa chief Minister told agitating nurses that they should not resort to steps like "Dharna" as that would spoil their complexion and make it difficult for them to find suitable husbands. Senior politicians also blamed women attending late night parties, smoking and drinking which encouraged Men to commit crimes according to them.
It is surprising that many political leaders have been suggesting that women should be denied use of mobile phones and wearing jeans to prevent acts of rapes and molestation instead of seeking action against men committing such acts or educating them to respect women instead of finding faults with girls and women. The recent remarks about dark complexion has also damaged our reputation abroad and Nigeria with whom India has strong ties has lodged strong protest.
It is partially because of such thinking on the part of men that the perception is growing that India is a country which is not safe for women. The cases of attacks on some women tourists including rapes have been cited to justify such thinking. Imagine the fate of women who in the absence of toilets in their homes in rural India have to go out for call of nature. In addition there is fear of honour killing and dictates of Khap Panchayats.
The recent amendments in the law dealing with rape, molestation and harassment has not led to any improvement as the number of convictions remain few and majority of people get away with it. Thanks to slow judicial process many cases remain unreported and few which go for trial also not lead to conviction because of lacunas in investigation.
It is no secret that the reason for current situation is thinking on part of a vast majority of men who treat women as inferior compared to men. The battle starts before birth as many are aborted because of great love for having male child and those who survive are treated unfairly and denied basics like good food, health care and education. It is no secret that laws alone cannot change the situation as the thinking on part of men in authority remains unchanged.
All national parties publically support reservation for women in elected bodies from Panchayats onwards to in Parliament, but such legislation is not enacted because of few in the opposition who opposed openly and a majority in national parties who in public support such provision but lack conviction to act. India will have to wait for a long time before women become safe in India and get place of equality.
Agitation in cities, candle light marches and amendments in law have not changed the situation on ground because the thinking of those in power has not changed. Women World over had to fight for their rights. India Constitution has granted them equal privileges but society denies them and a struggle lies ahead before the real change comes about.