In the context of deeply entrenched patriarchal values and mindsets, coupled with rampant consumerist culture and alliance of reactionary and opportunist forces, there is literally a flood of cases of rape and violence against women in Haryana as is evident from 13 cases of gang rape having taken place in just one month, making a total of 20 cases of rape reported in just 39 days. This has created a terror like situation and extreme insecurity in the minds of especially the young girls, working women and their families. Dalit women are particularly being targeted due to their greater vulnerability.
The ruling Government in Haryana, instead of taking cognizance of the situation and punishing the culprits, has termed it a “political conspiracy” to defame their rule and there ends its responsibility for providing a safe and secure governance. The opposition party led by Om Prakash Chautala has gone even further by siding with the khap panchayats and casteist forces and supporting their demand for lowering the marriageable age for young girls to 15 years. The majority of political parties and other forces, instead of understanding the gravity of the situation and fighting against this heinous crime, are unfortunately engaged in appeasing the casteist and reactionary forces for the safety of their vote banks.
In order to fight against this shameful display of opportunism, it is left to the democratic minded and justice loving people of the state and the nation to collectively come forward to counter this dangerous trend and bring the criminals to book. At the same time it must be ensured that appropriate action is taken against those policemen and other administrative officers who do not fulfill their duties properly and show negligence and laxity in dealing with the criminals.
It is with this perspective that women’s organizations and groups, led by the all India Democratic Women’s Association organized a protest in Rohtak, Haryana, on 15 October 2012 to put strong pressure on the political and administrative forces to act in a responsible way in dealing with violence against women, and to send a strong message to the criminal forces as well that they cannot escape scot free and would be strongly punished for any act of violence and crime. On their way to submit a memorandum to the Chief Minister, the demonstrators were stopped and brutally assaulted by the male police, with many protestors receiving serious injuries requiring hospitalization. Cases were registered against some of the leaders, including Brinda Karat, ex MP, CPI(M), and Jagmati Sangwan, Vice President, AIDWA.
On 17th October a meeting was held with the Chief Minister of Haryana, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, in which a detailed discussion took place. However, he was adamant in his refusal to take any action against the khap panchayats. At a wider level it is clear that there is an urgent need for a social reform movement at various levels of society – against the indecent portrayal of women in the media, against alcoholism and patriarchal values, traditions and mindsets. All the conventional forces which are making the demand to lower the marriageable age should be countered and isolated.
Simultaneously, it is necessary that a strong fight be conducted against the neo liberal policies of the government so as to pressurise the state and central government for proper and equal distribution of resources, particularly to the women and the weaker sections, so that they no longer remain soft targets for various kinds of violence and crimes.
COURTESY: THE VOICE OF WORKING WOMEN (CITU)
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