Some of the news
items in the recent past have made me wonder if we are really in 21st
century where equality of gender is a norm and not at the mercy of those in
position of some power, where those in such position of power rather inculcate
sense of gender equality without any bias than to take shelter behind issuing
medieval dictates.
A week or so ago
it was reported that a State Government has transferred 800 male teachers from
girls schools. Does it not show the mindset of those in power? Have they not
accepted their incapability of ensuring that no untoward incidents of gender harassment
take place by inculcating right sense of values as well as meting out exemplary
punishments on those found guilty? Next there may be creation of only women
villages or localities.
I am all for
meting out justice at root level, like Panchayats but it must be without any
gender bias. A so called Community Panchayat in Bengal first ensured as prelude
to what happened later by imposing fine of Rs 50, 000 on a poor family for
their girl talking to a man outside their community knowing very well that the
family is not in a position to pay such sum thus leading to that poor girl
being gang raped on “legal” order. What are our so called elected
representatives doing for this shameful act? Or they are just silent due to
vote bank considerations? Or they deny it as not having taken place under their
governance?
Today’s news – A girl
was paraded in the village with shoes loaded on her head for not obeying
dictate of Panchayat. She is married but living away from husband. She was
being harassed by some local youths who wanted her to have physical relations with
them. On not being able to bear such sexual unwanted harassment, she approached
the said Panchayat which ordered her to compromise with those errant persons
rather than taking action against them showing clear gender bias. When she did
not get desired and justified support from them she approached police and this
is what she was punished for. Does it not show that the said Panchayat members
wanted her to be a whore with those young men? What are our elected
representatives going to do about it? NOTHING, if I am not mistaken as they
will be in denial mode.
There are numerous
instances of Khap Panchayats issuing dictates for girls -what to wear and what
not to , what hours to go out of house
unaccompanied by male escorts if allowed to go out at all, not to have
mobile phones, upto what class a girl should be allowed to have education if at
all and the list is inexhaustive. Does this not show their mindset of gender
bias as instead of ensuring that males give due respect to females by teaching
them right sense of values and penalizing ones who default in exemplary ways?
And the best is that a Chief Minister of state backs all such Panchayats. Is it not vote begging gesture?
I also am all for
such fast justice mechanisms at root level but WITHOUT ANY GENDER
DISCRIMINATION. How will such Panchayat members react if an all women Panchayat
issues dictate to chop off P*****s of all young males as they are potential
rapists?
And the worst is that majority of women who can do a lot are passive spectators if not supporters of such dictates.
And the worst is that majority of women who can do a lot are passive spectators if not supporters of such dictates.
May I invite your
views, please?
6 comments:
I come from an area where kaap panchayats do not exist, and hence cannot comment on their necessity.
I do understand that these panchayats were created once upon a time to bring order and address issues within the community. But, what is happening these days shames the country.
Rather than demolish the panchayats, I feel they must be given proper training and awareness. Also, they must be brought into the legal system. they cannot, and should not be allowed to operate out of India's constitution and laws.
As a last resort, the police & courts should abolish the panchayats.
These people must be made aware that my punishing their women, they are inviting their own doom .... what if the women, out of fear, decide to suicide or run away ... their entire clan will find themselves unable to have heirs !
On a different note, I'll read the posts you mentioned in your previous post-comment in a few days time.
Jack, all these incidents, in my opinion, show how women in our country are perceived by people in general. The instances you have quoted are very extreme, but even everyday harassment is connected to this same thing. Everytime something like this happens, people must protest loudly, through various media (even blog), to bring a change in this mindset.
Hi Jack, regarding the qn on my blog, nope I have always written in/on the same blog .. never changed my blog ..
why ? what happened ?
It shows that the legal and enforcement systems of this country should reach out further to prevent such damages.
Khap Panchayats works with more of a racist agenda and is biased.
It can never be called a Panchayat in the first place.
Such instances show how under developed the villages are. NGOs should initiate projects to neutralize such panchayts and to bring them under legal purview or accountability.
DEEPA :
You are lucky to be in area where there are NO KHAP PANCHAYATS. I agree with you that instead of eliminating such organisations we need to educate them to dispense justice without any gender bias or unwanted social taboos. I doubt if I will see such change in my life time. Take care
REVACIOUS :
I agree with you that we need to take steps to protest as well as ensure that no such atrocities take place. Gender equality is a must and we all, specially women, need to educate our children for that. Hope that generation next to mine can see this change in outlook. Take care
SORCERER :
The way these organisation behave now does show that these are no more a legal system but is made for racial or gender discrimination. Politicians do not dare to speak against these as that would upset their vote bank. We definitely need NGOs or such organisations to educate masses about difference in right way of dispensing justice and the biased way. Take care
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