Editor,
We have seen recent headlines about a two year old girl Falak who was subject to physical abuse, was battered and is showing no sign of improvement. The criminal is still absconding. Such cases of child molestation and crimes against women are reported every day but the persons who commit such crimes go scot free. Although some women’s organisations have come up to oppose such acts of violence but crime against women is increasing everyday. In medieval times men dominated the scene and any wrongdoing by a lady becomes a social stigma. But today although women have reached the top of the social and political hierarchy they continue to be abused. In your esteemed daily several letters have appeared regarding the misdemeanours of a priest. It is sad that some people are pleading on behalf of the priest and terming his indiscretions as a ‘personal affair.’ There are certain vocations which have a huge impact on the society. The anxiety expressed by certain section of people over the deeds of this priest must be taken cognizance of.
Society still lives with the degrading caste system and what’s shocking are the deeds of the custodian of religion. Why can’t those of the higher caste oppose crime against women? I don’t think the Vedas allow priests to mess up with girls. Such acts are in fact a blow to the whole priestly community. In this day and it is sad that people still practice untouchability in the name of caste hierarchy. And I am sorry that priests are hero-worshipped! I wonder why the girls who are violated prefer to remain silent instead of reporting the issue. Perhaps they fear the loss of family reputation and dignity. As a result such hypocrites get a chance to dupe more women and get away with it. My call to all those who suffer silently at the hands of depraved men is ‘Jago Re’!
Yours etc,
Amrita Bhattacharjee
Dehradun-248001
Immoral MLAs talk of moral culture
Editor,
Strange are the ways of the BJP leaders. They talk of culture so eloquently and publicly, day in and day out that it gives us the impression they practice what they preach. Come Valentine’s Day, and the custodians of Hindutva culture come out violently on the streets to impart moral education and lecture on how to maintain the so-called Indian (Bharatiya) culture. It is like a seasonal fever that attacks a certain pro-active section of our society.
The other day an interesting event took place in the august house of Karnataka State Assembly, where the BJP is in power. It was reported that while the Assembly session was debating some important issues, two Ministers were watching some pornographic contents in their mobile handsets. The Minister for Co-operation and the Minister for Women and Child Welfare were caught red handed by the TV cameras. The TV channels dared to air it for public viewing. The issue is now picking up heat. It goes without saying that these Ministers might have been watching porno clips in their mobiles for quite some time now and that it was their ill luck they were caught unawares, that too accidentally. These Ministers know well that they are under the watchful eyes of the T.V. cameras but sad to say they are too weak to resist the temptation of doing things they ought not to do in the august house.
On occasions like the Valentine’s Day, the MLAs and Ministers (like the two under review) are the ones who instigate the youths of our country to pelt stones on the shops that sell Valentine’s Day cards and gift items. Now my question to your esteemed readers is: Do the members of the State Assemblies, who do not know how to conduct themselves in the august house, have the right to ask our countrymen how to behave in public?
Yours etc.,
Omar Luther King
Delhi- 110034