The nation stands shocked and sickened by the Manipur incident and the video which has been going viral of the two women who had been sexually assaulted by a mob. The incident happened in May but surfaced only on 19th July as the internet was down in Manipur due to the violence. Manipur as a state has been burning for the past two months, and along with the burning no one is aware of the number of our women being raped, killed, molested.
Anyone watching this video would and should be ashamed and hang their heads in shame, it is not only an outrageous open assault on these women by hooligans but an insult on our society which on one hand claims to worship women as goddesses and on the other hand rape and molest the modesty of our sisters.
Once the video was live, the nation erupted in responses in the social media, but still no action has been taken. A number of questions come up, the incident happened on 18th May 2023 and an FIR was lodged on the same day, no matter what the intention was the fact remains that two women were publicly molested and one of them raped while a mob watched silently or maybe cheering the men who were doing the act. Sad part is no one was arrested for more than two months, it is surprising that the Government and the Chief Minister was unaware of this incident and video…. It is nothing but shameful break down of the entire law and order situation in the state and how could the nation not be aware of it. How and when did we as humans became blind, deaf and mute towards such incidents
A number of questions arise in the minds of the public, – namely where were the police, where is our so called “pillar of justice and democracy “and the most pathetic being how depraved is our humanity. How can the public remain silent spectators and watch their own women being raped right in front of their eyes, how can they face themselves or look in the mirror the next day without feeling guilty.
Have we become so insensitive and inhuman that we can overlook such incidents and turn a blind eye with an attitude that its none of my business…if that’s the case when take the trouble of making a video and making it viral and deepening the disgrace and shame of the women openly, ifit’s not mockery then what can you call it.
What saddens me is no one from the present government has come forward to condemn them and stand by these women not even our female minister who make a noise on the drop of a hat for irrelevant things but when it’s the case of our women be in the women of Manipur or our female wrestlers when zip up their lips tight and pretend as if nothing has happened. As someone told me the other day that they had lost the trust and faith in the present government and if this government comes into power again in 2024, they we have lost all hopes of our women being safe. Their so called “Beti Bachao” slogan will now will be, “save our daughter from men who think they have a right to walk over our women and treat them with disrespect.”
When I saw the video the first thought that came into my mind was the disgusting picture of Indian men molesting our women openly and having the guts to film their despicable act triumphantly. This video has and should shake everyone’s soul and conscience, it was humanity that was openly paraded not our women. It has left me numb with rage and anger and I as a woman and resident of this country am ashamed and if this is the way its going to go on, we have no right to call ourselves “humans”.
In the end all I can say it this is moment of great shame and sadness not only for the country but for each and every individual who call themselves a “human, have a conscience and feel that what happened and is happening to our sisters all over India is not right and immediate action is needed “ to take a moment to retrospect and promise themselves that such incidents will and should never happen again…. And stand in solidarity with our sister and make them feel secure and safe.
Last but not the least: quote from Golda Meir: “It is not to lock up the women to keep them safe, it is necessary to is necessary to keep a curfew for men so that they don’t misbehave ever again.”
This is moment of great shame and sadness not only for the country but for each and every individual who call themselves a “human, have a conscience and feel that what happened and is happening to our sisters all over India is not right and immediate action is needed.
The author is a Delhi-based freelance writer.