‘यत्र नार्यस्तु पूज्यन्ते रमंते तत्र देवताः’ (Where Women Are Honored , Divinity Blossoms There) is the motto that Indic civilization stands for. This is the land where women are worshipped in the forms of Shakti (Power), Saraswati (Knowledge) and Lakshmi (Prosperity). The embodiment of our Country is envisioned as Bharat Mata. In a land where women have been accorded equal status and have been revered since ancient times, it was unfortunate to witness the recent crimes against women and the subsequent events to these crimes. Unnao rape case and the subsequent death of the victim’s father during police custody was a reprehensible act and the way the case has been handled by the government does not only tarnish the image of the country and the state but also raises serious questions on those responsible for ensuring justice to the victim. The victim’s tale is horrific one, as we have covered it previously. Her ordeal does not seem to be over yet as the accused BJP MLA is still roaming free, smiling shamelessly during the sound-bites to the TV cameras.
Another despicable aspect of the crime is the support the accused are receiving from their political comrades as well as ideologically inclined supporters. Recently, another BJP MLA from Uttar Pradesh came out in support of the accused Unnao MLA by making the absurd claim that it was impossible for someone to rape a mother of three. This troubling statement not only furthers the agony of the victim but also makes a mockery of the justice system.
The silence of PM Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on the case have further fueled the supporters of the accused MLA and they have taken it as assurance of immunity against the heinous crime. The silence of CM Yogi has dampened the spirits of the BJP supporters who voted for him to get rid of the VIP-led ‘gundaraj’ culture of the previous SP government.
A similar incident in Kathua, Jammu, where an eight year old girl was raped, brutalized and murdered marks a new low in the politicization of such an issue. The accused in the case have garnered a support base working along the lines of their ‘Hindu’ and ‘Nationalist’ identities.
The Unnao rape case and the rape and murder case in Kathua are blots on the law and order and the free-run of the accused points to a lack of political will among those in power. It should be made clear that the perpetrators of these heinous crimes are neither ‘Hindu’ nor ‘Nationalists’ and hiding behind these identities would not absolve them of the crimes they have committed.
We, at rightlog, believe that law of the land is applicable to everyone irrespective of their color, caste, social status, religion and political affiliation. We urge the government to take immediate and strong action against the perpetrators in Unnao and Kathua cases. We also urge to those supporting the accused in both the cases that political and party affiliations are secondary to justice and it should be ensured to one and all. By defending these reprehensible acts, these supporters are undermining the very essence of Indian Culture they ostensibly fight for.