‘Manhandling lady employees violates essence of matrilineal culture’
SHILLONG: In the backdrop of the ongoing unrest in Garo Hills, an anguished Pravin Bakshi, Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills, posed counter questions to the queries raised by so-called volunteers of the Garo State Movement.
In his set of questions on the total lack of common decency and depravity which led to the assault and harassment on common people especially women, Bakshi called for a societal introspection on the actions of a section of people ostensibly seeking a separate state. He pointed out that failure to provide answers will lead to an irreversible descent into chaos and moral degradation wherein people shall be manhandled and assaulted for their beliefs and the offenders shall still call themselves democratic.
“Democracy means freedom of expression involving constructive dialogue and healthy debate. It is not imposition of views and beliefs. Bakshi criticised the self constructed definitions of molestation and manhandling which he said are archaic and medievalist.
Expressing concern over the lack of respect shown to the women employees in the wake of the recent attack on the staff of the DC office at Tura by student volunteers, the Deputy Commissioner said that such offences are a crime against the dignity and respect, honour and reputation of women who had risked their well being to come to office dutifully and no one had any right to trample on their rights and invade their office to humiliate them.
“I also wish to probe further whether such attacks and conduct are sanctioned by the matrilineal Garo society. “Should those who trample upon the honour and dignity of women be treated as freedom fighters?” Bakshi questioned.
Commenting on the arrest of the 25 student volunteers recently, Bakshi said “They have been arrested for criminal offences which were well planned and clearly orchestrated at the behest of some profoundly sinister and conniving interests who wished to remain in the closet while inciting violence and mayhem.”