Is it illegal for a woman to be a woman in India as we approach the magnificent 78 years of independence? Is it because it is illegal to be a woman in India that the number of crimes committed against women is rising there? This horrible question comes to mind as we see yet another awful incident that goes against the fundamental principles of our society.
In terms of the number of female deities we worship, where do we even stand in the world if our girls are not protected from harassment and molestation when they travel? The most recent horrific rape and killing of a doctor in Kolkata ought to serve as a stark reminder that women have never felt secure in India. This is not an isolated instance; rather, it bears witness to several concerning patterns that have emerged within this sector.
The storylines are the same, from the notorious gang rape in Nirbhaya to the unsettling rape case in Kathua: a culture that seems to disregard women’s difficulties, a long-term denial of the right to obtain justice, and no one being held accountable. Notable prisoners Ram Rahim and Asaram Bapu are among those granted parole, demonstrating the inadequacy of our legal system in terms of efficacy and efficiency.
Where is the fear of the law these days? It’s time to counsel the male species on non-ascendancy as we have been hearing advice like, “Don’t wear that, you’ll attract the wrong kind of attention,” for far too long. The mentality that dehumanizes, degrades, and abuses women is what’s at fault, not the clothes or the choices made by women. Therefore, a nation that professes to cherish its women does not need to dictate what attire is appropriate for them; instead, it should instill civility in males.
In Assam, India, there is a temple dedicated to Maa Kamakhya, the goddess of menstruation, where women are praised for their strength and might. However, this is also a cruel place where young girls suffer abuse. In a nation where the goddess Macchendranthi is highly revered, the Matale tragedy—a three-year-old girl who was gang-raped—is not shocking. The bleak irony conveys a lot about the pervasive bigotry and depraved culture that is unable to find positive role models in its current state. The lack of fear of the law is concerning, and the issue is made worse by the prevalence of explicit pornographic content on social media.
The normalization of such material dehumanizes people, particularly the youth, and fosters a culture that risks the safety of women. To safeguard both women and children, stronger implementation of anti-pornography legislation and more stringent content filtering are necessary. Every woman has to be allowed to pursue her goals with the same freedoms as males if India is to advance as a nation.
Talents like Hima Das, Lovlina Borgohain, Mary Kom, and Manu Bhaker will appear from all across the nation when women are given the freedom to follow their dreams without fear. Not only are these ladies accomplished athletes, but they also serve as role models for what happens when women are given equal opportunities. India, a country known for its diversity, takes great pleasure in its rich cultural legacy and the widespread veneration of goddesses throughout the nation. Nonetheless, the land continues to see the brutality and persecution of its women. The irony is obvious: how can a culture that houses female goddesses in its temples neglect to protect its street-dwelling daughters? The enduring cultural emphasis on regulating women’s conduct is among the most unsettling features of this paradox.
Advice on what to dress, how to act, where to go, and when to go it is frequently aimed towards women. But the true problem is not with women’s attire, but rather with men’s behavior. “Teach men how to behave, not women how to dress,” goes the adage. It is a man’s thinking that has to change, not the clothing a woman wears, that should be seen as an invitation to harassment or violence. In India, a woman is more than just a wife, mother, or daughter; she is a unique person with the right to live a life devoid of tyranny and fear.
However, society frequently attempts to confine women to set roles, depriving them of their independence and self-determination. We have to acknowledge that a woman’s value is determined by her uniqueness and the contributions she provides to society, not by the connections she has with other people. The data presents a somber image: somewhere in our nation, a woman is sexually assaulted every three minutes. This figure is symbolic of the continual anguish, terror, and injustice that millions of women face. It is not simply a statistic. It is a harsh critique of a culture that, despite its claims to revere women as gods, neglects to defend its most defenseless members.
The irony is that while erecting magnificent temples in honor of female deities, we are unable to provide a secure atmosphere for the women who live among us. We must reorient our attention from petty displays of respect to concrete measures that protect women’s safety and dignity. This entails developing a culture of equality and respect from an early age in addition to expediting the legal process for rape cases. It’s time for us to stop waving candles and start making real progress.
Justice must be served promptly by fast-track courts, and society as a whole must endeavor to make women’s environments safer. Real empowerment is about enabling every woman to live a secure and dignified life, not just making token gestures. “Yatra naryastu pujyante ramante tatra devata” is the Sanskrit shloka that states, “Where women are honored, divinity blossoms.” Let’s work to show that we are a country that is genuinely devoted to the safety and empowerment of our women by honoring them with deeds as well as words.
