Election fever has kicked in. And as the days goes by, some
of the comments by our so called leaders have started to become nastier. And on
April 11, 2014, this reached the limit. Our leaders have reached the stage
where even issues like rape can become topic for garnering votes. And if a high
profile leader of Samajwadi Party, Mr. Mulayam singh Yadav can make such
outrageous comments, then we can just imagine what would be the mentality of
ordinary karyakartas of the party. “Boys will be Boys, they make mistakes. Will
you hang them for rape?”. This comment? At the middle of a Election rally? That
too at this crucial juncture? And this was not enough, his counterpart in
Maharashtra Mr Abu Azmi says "If a woman is caught (in a rape case), then both she and the boy
should be punished”.
Its tragic that we have such
leaders in the country where even gruesome incidents like rape is suppose to be
trivial issues. Let alone to be sensitive towards victims we here have leaders
who accused the victim to be equally responsible. Its sad to believe that we
live in such country. But the real issue is not this! The issue is much deeper.
Why such a comment was made at such crucial juncture? This is a make or break
elections for each and every politician in India today. And certainly our
leaders are not jerks to make such imprudent comment. Our Leaders may be
corrupt, they may be illiterates. But certainly they are not stupid.
Politicians
in this country are most shrewd when it comes to vote-bank politics. And believe
me the comment was also made to appease a certain section of the people to
garner votes.
This is the sad part! After this comment by Mr. Yadav and
Mr. Azmi there was protest all over. Womens group from muslim community came
and opposed the comment of this leaders. But what is the use? Whatever this
people wanted, they have been successful in that. To appease like-minded people
who have similarity in thinking as of this leaders. We have reached such a low
stage where you can garner votes by bashing rape victims. And as I have said
earlier, I don’t blame these leaders for their behaviour. No Sir! We Indians
deserve such leaders. And reason for it is that most people agree with them.
Leaders are one among us and if the people here are bad how can we expect the
leaders coming out among us to be good! And nothing will happen after this too.
Mr. Yadav is fighting election from Azamgarh and Manipuri. Even after this
insensitive comment he will win both seats and that too with a thumping majority.
We deserve such leaders. People here have always had this
mentality of demeaning women in society. It’s the same country where after
Shakti Mill Gang rape case instead of showing solidarity towards victim, people where questioning the victim as too
what she was doing there in such a secluded location. Men and women alike most
of the time blame girls for rape occurrences. The day when death sentence was
pronounced to the culprits of Shakti Mill case, I happen to travel by train. I
overheard group of men saying that ‘ Girls are equally to be blamed for rape.
They dress provocatively and invite men to rape them. And Men are Men. They
will react na!’ This is the mentality of the people in our country. And it was
this section of people Mr. Yadav wanted to appease. So I don’t blame him.
Incidents like rape are result of mentality of Indian men
towards women. Unless this mentality changes the incidents will occur. And for
the mentality to change, the people here must change. Men and Women both are
equally responsible for it. I thought Indians to be religious people and even
their religion says “Yatra naryastu
poojyante ramante tatra devataha”. Lets see if people like Mr. Yadav and
Azmi get back to power! Because if that happens its proved that people of this
country have not changed. Change within themselves is what they need!
