The human beast is at large in different parts of India. Rape has become a common occurrence. The brutal gang rape of a woman in Delhi is a reminder of how unsafe the capital is for women. That goes for other cities like Kolkata. The outrage in Delhi underlies violence against women and weak enforcement of law and order. The conviction rate for sexual crimes, absence of police reforms and law’s delay are responsible for the frequent outbreak of such brutality. It is good that L.K.Advani is no longer the only politician who thinks rapists should be given the death sentence. A number of other MPs including Sushma Swaraj have asked for it. Sonia Gandhi wants the strictest action. Union home minister S.K.Shinde has announced the formation of a women’s safety task force and steps to be taken for speedy trial. The recent rape in Kolkata has also evoked a renewed outcry. The Kolkata victim has cried for justice.
The rate of conviction in rape cases in Delhi is 41.5%. It is bad but better than the all India figure of 26.4%. Parliament must prioritize crime against women. Law enforcing authorities should be genuinely aware of gender equality. This equality is not due to a handful of women personalities shining in public life. It is a natural truth being ignored for long in a male dominated society. Rape is no less heinous than murder. Victims of rape are condemned to life-in-death and punished by society. The slack law against rape in countries like the US should not set an example. Nor should rape be made light of by political elements on the ground that only sluttish women invite such action by being provocative. What should be explored by psychologists is what leads some men to such animal behaviour.