A young girl, on being constantly bullied by a male fellow passenger during a bus journey, reacted by pricking him with a safety pin. On learning about the incident, an old lady sitting next to her exclaimed, “Why is she like this?” The blame fell upon the girl within seconds.
This incident narrated by Shaanika Rakesh, a first year degree student in law, is pertinent in today’s world when atrocities against women are increasing at an alarming rate.
Around 20 youngsters gathered on the Museum premises on Sunday voiced their opinion on the innumerable matters that lead to the rising crime against women in India. In the discussion among the members of VOYOU, the youth wing of Expressions Indian Society, the participants looked at the various factors that lead to such situations. But they were not ready to blame the times we are living now, as pointed out by Aryan P Nair, a first year English literature student, who was backed by J S Ananthakrishnan. “Such incidents have happened earlier too. Now, with technological advancement, they are fast reaching us, which used to go unnoticed those days. The pseudo morality in the society needs to be changed,” said Ananthakrishnan.
Still a “why” was not answered. On why it continues. Is it because of lack of education or is education not enough to suffice the need? “Can a person who is literate, on garnering a number of certificates, be called educated?” Ananthakrishnan asked.
Pat came the response from Rahul J S, a BCom student, “education should cross the borders of knowledge and reach deeper into many other things.” Then from where should the change occur? It should begin from home, through the value system, moral standards and many more. So that women would attain individual identity.
After winding up the discussion, the group made it clear that it was not interested to sit back, talk and leave. The members are planning to submit the suggestions formed at the meeting to the government so that they could “create a change.”