Trigger Warning: Rape, Sexual Assualt
To the elected legislators,
Parliament House
Sansad Marg, New Delhi- 110001
I believe that all of you 800 people are more tensed about the Farm bills and LAC concerns, but today as a concerned citizen or I should say that a woman of this diverse nation with rich culture and traditions, I want to take you to that road of violence which might not be in your mirror proximity.
Sir and Madam, strengthening my letter with facts, according to NCRB, Delhi is ranked first in all metropolitan cities in crimes against women accounting for 28% of total cases registered in the year 2019. The Hindu on October 2, 2020, reported three rape cases in Hathras, Balrampur and Bhadoi (all in Uttar Pradesh) on the front page. Our beautiful ‘Bharat’ is considered one of the most dangerous countries for women. I hope these massive documents are not ignored by you.
Brutality In Hathras
Rape should not only be circumvented in the walls of sexual assault but should be considered in respect of the mental and physical trauma it causes to the victim. When I read the newspaper every morning, I pray to not encounter any rape or sexual assault news but this is far from reality. What I read in the last 2- 3 days is on the verge of brutality and malignancy. A Dalit girl was raped by four men in fields where she was collecting fodder. Her legs were broken, her backbone was broken and not only this, her tongue was ripped off.
This is not the first time we are encountering such heinous crime in India, we still get goosebumps when we think about the Nirbhaya rape case. Not only this, number of cases such as the Kathua rape case, Disha rape case (name changed), Unnao rape case and the never-ending list still scares us when we step outside our houses.
Your response, dear legislators, over this issue is frozen in a cold corner of the Parliament house. The intensity of debates we saw during Rafale issues or onion price issue will never match in such cases. Not only this, the public servant response in Hathras case is a pure and clear example of inhumanity. The DM tried to equate Corona and rape.
Surely, the majority in the centre and Uttar Pradesh who have an exorbitant history of violence against women know how to approach such severe issues. Leaders, hanging the rapists is a temporary solution for a permanent problem, more stringency is needed to deal with this ever-rising problem in our country.
Our very own Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Damodardas Modi, who is known for his political decision making and charismatic personality, who is the face of Indian democracy in the world- he may be a hero for some and devil for many, but the country has real hopes from him. Making the country hegemonic and atmanirbhar (self sufficient) is as important as saving the lives of the population.
Dear Modi Ji, you declared notes of 500 and 1000 illegal in one night, you passed one of the most debatable bills which is an act now and what not. We know that making a stringent and uncompromising act for the safety of the women will not be tougher than the above mentioned. We have a number of acts such as Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act, 2013 and many more but there is something lacking.
Legislators, it’s a request from every woman of the country to those who hold power: Hold hands of the weak and miserable. The contemporary situation is beyond control if we see the data but it’s your duty and you are obliged to control the same.
Thanking you,
A 20-year-old daughter of the nation.