CAN I CALL IT INABILITY TO CHANGE???

Freedom – A Far Fetched Dream?

The year, 2012, ended on a serious note, because of the Delhi Gang rape incident. The nation gave up celebrations to respect the "Delhi Braveheart" as she was, is and will be called.

She was a student of physiotherapy whose name was not revealed as it’s against the Indian law. Therefore, media houses used pseudonyms like Amanat, Braveheart, Nirbhaya and so on. Though there have been many rape cases in India (many of which go unreported) it was the heinousness of this incident that made the people raise their voice. Many protests were organised not only in Delhi but in other cities like Chennai, Bangalore and Kolkatta. People amassed in thousands outside the Parliament to support her.

When social networking sites were flooded with updates and tweets about her, on the political front, there was complete silence, which surprised many. Neither the politicians nor the head of the country can be held responsible for such a brutal crime committed by six people. But on the other hand, they are the responsible and learned people, who ought to have come out and pacified the citizens, whose relentless pursuit for justice was for a serious cause. It was a perfect chance for the votes to swing their way because there was not a better opportunity to win a citizens heart.

What was shocking was the way the peaceful protestors were treated, which added fuel to fire and ultimately culminated into a rampage. Smoke grenades and cannons (luckily here it was water cannons!!)are not unheard of in wars, but this was the first time I witnessed them being used on innocent civilians. Section 144 was imposed in the national capital. Does it mean that there is truly no individualistic importance given to a citizen in this country?

Further, the explanation that the Delhi Police were not under the control of the head of the state was unacceptable. I truly appreciate the effort of the Head of the State to have been one among the people to hold a candle. She offered clear explanations and promised immediate and swift action. She participated in open discussions to hear the suggestions of the public, which goes a long way to show unfathomable interest in improving security for women. Helpline numbers and fast track courts were set up with immediate effect. Very importantly, the change in laws, pending for years was amended.

The panel of Justice Verma, Gopal Subramaniam, Leila Seth drafted a 600 page report encapsulating the changes in law that were feasible. Though the juvenile age still remains to be 18, which couldn't be reduced to 16, for reasons that may be, the effort was remarkable. I felt bit disheartened though when Justice Verma remarked that he had to type his own work since he couldn't afford a typist with his pension.  30 days is all it took to bring in the necessary changes. After a long time, a democratic country’s voice was heard. Had it not been for the resurgence of the public this would have gone as another drop of water in the ocean. The next question is "When laws are made for the people why can’t they be flexible? Here it was termed a "Rarest of rare case". I still haven't got the inner meaning of the statement. On what basis can a hideous crime like rape be classified as a rare case? It’s a question of a woman’s life and social security. Questions seem endless and pointless.

There are enumerable number of such cases being reported, and for a few, people are not allowed to file an FIR. People are made to think twice before they report a case in a police station. They start to feel insecure about the policemen. If this is the kind of insecurity that exists with the people who ought to provide security, there is no doubt the freedom of expression will be curtailed, or probably in a decade, be abolished. There needs a rapid change in the way security personnel are trained. They should lend a helping hand when one is needed. What is extremely saddening is that such rules are being enforced now. A true democratic country can change only if the people in that country realize their role as a citizen and change themselves. It’s an evolutionary process. This evolutionary process are the seeds which grow to make a country with complete freedom of expression.

The attainment of the developed country status by 2020 seems to be a far -fetched dream of a great visionary, Dr. Abdul Kalam. If society needs a refinement, the people, the politicians, the teachers, the leaders in every fraternity need to change.

It’s the attitude of individuals and not the stringent imposition of rules that can bring a country's development.