On the face of it, ‘India’s Daughter’ the docu-feature on the Nirbhaya gang rape in Delhi, is a narrative on the gruesome crime on a young girl in the streets of India’s capital - the seat of supreme political power. But what it underscores is a more serious issue of the underlying attitude of the overtly male-dominated Indian society, which observes scant respect for women. It is indeed a serious malady and certainly provokes the rational mind into thinking about the depravity engrained in our society. That even the educated can think like what is depicted in the comments offered by a couple of lawyers, is a clear reminder of this chilling truth. The deep psychological disorder is extremely disturbing, as one struggles to find an answer to the decay that is so deeply set in our society.
Merely banning the viewership of the film is like brushing the dirt under the carpet. But that is what our political bosses and the judiciary have chosen to do at this critical juncture. Even stringent penal measures, as were hurriedly enshrined in the law books against such offenders, have offered little solace, much less instilled fear in the minds of the depraved sections of society. As for the ban, it simply drowns out another set of voices - of those that do not want the film banned, but are critical of its approach to rape in India. Suman Dahiya, Advocate and Vice Chairperson, Haryana Women’s Commission, says, “The film should not be banned. Although I believe that the documentary neither has any motive nor any message for our society, it has shown the core reality of our society. Forget the rapist, even the two defence lawyers have terrible opinions on women. Our fraternity is ashamed of such comments from lawyers. The rapist has grabbed this opportunity to defend himself and his ‘friends’. What we have failed to root out is the malaise. Knee-jerk reactions and subsequent quick-fix actions are never going to lead to any sustainable solutions. If our society is to change, there has to be a serious commitment to educating the masses. Education will have to mean more than just academics – and of course we first need to ensure education for all. Crime can’t be stopped but there must be a method to reduce crime. Further, the law should be equally applied to everybody, irrespective of age, caste or creed.“ She strongly believes that the system, including the civic bodies, has to be more proactive towards social issues and undertake awareness programmes regularly.
While a few have been vocal, many, often very responsible persons in society, still find it convenient to skirt even such serious social issues that are besieging our society. A former judge of the District Court was not comfortable in sharing his views, just saying that it is a very sensitive issue, though agreeing that this documentary has raised a question on the mentality of our society. An advocate, mediator and co-convener of BJP Haryana Legal Cell, Rashmi Bhushan, admits, “We have a male-dominated society and we can’t expect it to change in a day. The society has misconceptions about women and conveniently portrays them as weak. Banning a documentary won’t stop the crime. We need to go to the roots of the crime.” Advocate Narender Yadav, a criminal lawyer, laments,” The culprits should be given exemplary punishment. It reminds me of the notorious Billa-Ranga case (many decades ago). Those villains were hanged, though even then it took a long time in the courts.” Commenting on the Nirbhaya case, Yadav says, “The lawyers are doing their job, but what is agonising is the mentality of those who are defending the accused. The film is very moving. It has also clearly brought out that such criminals have no remorse or feel any need to change; even our society seems to not have changed. Crimes against women have continued unabated. That is the great tragedy.”
It seems that no woman in this country is safe. At every nook and corner of the country lurks a criminal, salivating at the first opportunity to perpetrate this gory crime. Either the law is helpless or conveniently blind, as justice eludes victims for years and the accused roam free, even having the gall to intimidate the victims while their trial continues. God save India’s women. Or has even He forsaken them?
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