They arrived from various places in and around the city, but shared the same feelings of agony and grief. An informal gathering organised by VOYOU, the youth wing of Expressions India Society, at the Museum bandstand here witnessed the young generation sharing their grief over the Delhi gang rape incident and the rising incidence of violence and sexual assaults against women.
The gathering which began like a flash mob soon had passersby and picnickers joining the discussions. While some narrated their personal encounters with anti-social elements some others disclosed their fear to oppose such offences in public places.
Vidya, a final year engineering student at Noorul Islam University, said the mindset of men should change if the country really wanted betterment of womanhood. ‘’We are doing it wrong, right from the beginning. Parents give girl children a Barbie and ask her to play inside while the boys are instilled with a superior feeling,’’ she rues.
Vidya also narrated the plight of a friend who was sexually assaulted at the tender age of five. ‘’Even today she is afraid and ashamed to disclose it to her parents or relatives’’ she added.
Karthika, another student, said the society demands women to remain indoors since evening. ‘’At my home, I or my sister has to go out for shopping in the evening after we return from the classes. Shouldn’t we deserve a fearless atmosphere to live, walk and to do our business,’’ she asks.
Aryan P Nair, a first year degree student at Mar Ivanios College, was of the view that the issue needed an in-depth analysis. ‘’We live in a society which does not permit to express our feelings, which is reflected in incidents of ‘moral policing.’ Such unexpressed desires break loose under the effect of alcohol or drugs,’’ he says.
Castro Clive, a PG student at Mar Ivanios College, ridiculed the argument that a free society witnesses less violence, citing the high number of rape incidents in the US compared to India.
Athulya, a student at Noorul Islam University, said the culprits in rape cases should be hanged in public to deter anti-socials. Arun Gopalakrishnan, first year student at Mar Baselios College said: ‘’We couldn’t prevent her from being brutally assaulted and we terribly failed to realise her last request to help her live.’’
Before dispersing, the mourners lighted candles praying for the soul of the hapless victim of the gang rape.