India's Daughter

Every day, for the past week, I have just been waking up to why India’s Daughter shouldn’t be banned. There is also a counter argument on why it should be banned, albeit fades in numbers compared to the former. Excruciatingly disturbing, as it was to read about the outrage in the winter of 2012, it is equally painful to know that the case still drags on in the courts. I am not writing to state my allegiance if the documentary should be aired or not. But I would like to know the very thought behind why there exist these two warring factions, who have woken up from a slumber after the events of the December 2012.

The government, as soon as it learned about the airing of the documentary, decided to ban it. We may never know the real reason behind it. But they sure have cited legal breach as the reason. Any material written or screening of a sub judice case cannot be allowed, for it can influence the court’s decision. For example, the accused parties in the 1993 bomb blast case had appealed to the court to stop the screening of the movie Black Friday, while the case was still in the Bombay High Court. By that logic, it makes sense for the government to react the way it did. The government’s stand could also be based on trying to save its face after drawing flak for the deteriorating law and order situation. I won’t be surprised if it’s the latter, for I pretty much know the politicians could stoop to any level.

In the same vein, there are some supporting the ban for a completely different reason. These are the pseudo nationals who blame the external forces for trying to portray India in a poor light. These are the ostriches of the society, who think they uphold the cultural, moral fabric of the country. I think the documentary shows what the truth is. Whether it is produced by BBC or NDTV. It states the fact, and shows the convoluted and perverted men behind the ghastly act. So to ban the documentary because it shows the country in bad light is plain ludicrous. I think Indians have done enough damage to the country and its values, and it doesn't need a foreigner to come and do any further damage.  If these people can and have the balls, first gag Mulayam Singh, who called rape as a playful act for boys.

Now to the educated elite who have been crying hoarse the day the documentary was banned. Stating that every man should watch it to know how the girl was raped and left to die. I don’t believe in the argument, personally. The documentary though gut wrenching will not change the attitude of a rapist or a non-rapist, for lack of a better term. If it indeed did, the two lawyers wouldn't have spoken the way they did. They have been associated with the case in close quarters and know the gory details of the case. And at this point they are fighting for a reduced sentence for the convicts. And mind you these are educated men. Men rape on two accounts. Lack of respect for women and the sexual rage. Does the documentary address any of it? No. So to state that every man should watch it, for it would change their view about Rape is myopic. If a man harbors any of the above two reasons in his mind, he will rape. No matter what.

It is also cited that Jyoti’s parents agreed to participate in the making of the documentary. And hence the documentary should be allowed to go on air. The parents are fighting for justice, and they will go to any length, even if it is help from foreign media. The makers paid Mukesh Singh, the convict, to go on air to state what he did, was in bad taste. If the journo indeed believed in responsible journalism, she wouldn't have paid him for it. I have watched documentaries all my life, such gory details are often shown as texts. But then to gain viewership, one would stoop to any level. Mukesh Singh’s fate is sealed. There is no point in giving him a platform to state his reason behind the rape. Whatever his reason be, RAPE can never be justified. Some men who don’t hold women in high regard, will only feel vindicated with the lawyer and the convict’s view.

Rapes, unfortunately, are a universal phenomenon. Gender equality and respect for the women folk need to be taught from birth, and that to a large extent will reduce the instances of rape or violent crime against women. A deterrent would be swift and just punishment to the perpetrators. And since it cannot be completely eradicated, rape shouldn't be treated as a stigma. For then the scar of the act is bigger on the psyche of the victim than the perpetrator himself. Most women and their families, in fear of being stigmatized and vilified, don’t report these violent crimes, and that gives enough chutzpah for the rapist to commit the crime. And without a report, they would never be a conviction and the rapists are well aware of it. 

Gender equality, swift justice and non-vilifying. This women’s day, I hope these happen. Women need to be adored, not devoured.