Living With Predators
It was a cold winter morning , i was enjoying warmth of sun when i received a call from my mother , panic and frightened . The country
had woken with Cry of "Nirbhaya " and my mother wanted to know how safe was I ?
November 2019, The news of Dr. Priyanka Reddy flashed in news channels . India was yet again campaigning for Justice. Tv channels were
conducting debate. September 2020, Manisha Valmiki ,unfortunately became the new victim of a predator mindset .
Born in a world that has gender specific rules, gradually every woman learns that her own precaution will keep her safe . No matter if she lives in village or a city , goes to work or is a student , she is in fear . We have failed to create an ecosystem that would assure her that an unacceptable behavior will be stopped .
My friend is a teacher in a leading school of the city . Once she told me that male students often show their middle finger to their female peers . Use slang or make a pass just to sound cool . Gradually young girls learn to turn deaf ear and blind eye to them .
Alarming is the situation in rural areas and Urban slums . In an Urban Slum woman learn to live with a drunk pervert relative or a neighbor . With time they train their minds how to live safely and avoid such behavior . While in rural areas situation is worse . Woman have to move around for work and daily chores . At any such time woman are facing risk .
To simplify the culprit does the crime one day but has been thinking about it for about it for many days.Statistically , viewership of porn sites has significantly increased. Easy availability of drugs , alcohol and the pressure to live the changing norms in every section of society is a reality . Sexual conversation and sexual jokes are the new ways to socialise .Reenu , a migrant worker shared her story as to how every evening , men use smart phones to watch porn and adult movies . Surprisingly , they are joined by women .
Culprit of Nirbhaya died of capital punishment whereas in Dr. Priyanka's case it was during crime recreation. None of the two could stop Hathrass . Political parties and jounalist do their job . They raise their voice . Men involved are punished but the mindset isn't .
Youtube search for word rape and gang rape has significantly increased , in remote area or in urban slums men and young boys under the influence of intoxication indulge in such pastimes . With time they gain confidence and keep looking for an opportunity.
Not only rape is a shame to government , machinery but also to the society . We wait for it to happen , instead of being a society of whistle blowers . Identification of such tentative predators is as important as punishing the rapist .
Like a doctor says infection is inside the body , localized treatment will give temporary solution . Social awakening is not just for a justice campaign , it should have introspective discussion. A drive that is not just a relief for an outrageous society but makes our society safe. .