The rape of a seven-year-old in a municipal school in Delhi, close on the heels of the gang rape of a 23-year-old woman in the capital, comes as a rude shock. It clearly shows that the criminal justice system and policing are flawed. It was only natural that protests followed the incident, reflecting people’s disillusionment with the government’s inability to address a recurring malaise. It is pathetic that our system remains unchanged despite the expressions of public outrage.
K. Chidanand Kumar,
Bangalore
It is incredulous that a stranger was able to gain access to the school, commit the crime and walk away. That such shameful acts continue to happen despite deterrent punishments being put in place presents a sorry picture of our security system, and are a blot on society. With little security in state-run schools, the dangers lurking are all too evident.
N.J. Ravi Chander,
Bangalore
The shocking rape is certainly not an isolated incident. Crimes against women and young girls take place everyday, especially in villages. Sexual assaults in remote villages, in fact, go unnoticed. The police, for their part, are insensitive to the victims. Increasing awareness of crimes against women and efforts to enhance punishment seem to have no impact.
P. Abdulla,
Malappuram
The report “Rape of girl triggers violent protests” (March 2) begins with the words “Angry over the rape…” Were those protesting really angry over the rape? Or were they just experiencing the joy of destruction? The picture accompanying the report shows aggressive youth with smiling faces.
What is common in the rape and the protests that followed is violence. How do the destruction of public property and violence against people unconnected with the incident help? Such protests do not satisfy the end of justice; rather, they violate law and order further. The need of the hour is faith in democracy and active participation in it. Social change can be brought about only through peaceful means. Violence will only lead to more chaos and ineffectiveness in the system.
Ajish Jimmy George,
Delhi
Huge protests against the rape and murder of Nirbhaya (the name given to the December 2012 gang rape victim) shook the whole nation. The government acted briskly and took a decision to amend the laws to sternly deal with culprits. But nothing has changed on the ground, as is evident from the Bhandara outrage and the rape of a young student in Delhi. Such news appears in the media like weather updates. Conscious efforts need to be made to create awareness and educate different people.
Y.M.V. Dheeraj Kumar,
Bangalore
Girls and women are tortured, exploited and harassed from womb to tomb. Crimes against them take place in isolated bedrooms as well as crowded public places; in schools and public transport. What was required in the case of the gang rape was swift punishment. But the government provided a flat to the victim’s family. While roads and public places need to be made safer, the government is looking at establishing exclusive women’s banks.
We, the people, are equally to blame. The government can only bring changes to the law and punish the accused. But we are the real government. We need to raise our moral standards, inculcate in ourselves respect for women, care for them and protect them. Only then will shameful crimes against them decline. If we fail to act now, a day will come when our homes aren’t safe.
Jaiprakash Bisen,
Hyderabad
