The new year was rung in on a nightmarish note for two NRI girls who were molested at the J W Marriot Hotel in Mumbai. The case attracted a lot of public attention with the national media focusing on the incident.

Unfortunately, some politicians from Maharashtra came out in support of the culprits and put the blame on the victims. Now, Union Women and Child Development Minister Renuka Chowdhary has announced that she will be reviewing  the Mumbai"s New Year Day molestation case. The Ministry will review the report prepared by the Mumbai police so as to take further action on the case. Is the minister genuinely interested in getting justice for these two women or has she taken up the case to settle political scores with her opponents? 

Social researcher and activist Shubha Chacko feels that it’s a pity that we’ve had to have a minister to intervene. “If all our institutions were working right we wouldn’t need a minister’s intervention. This issue is getting so much coverage, I feel some positive politics is being played out here. It’s alright as long as there is some consistency in decision-making. There must be a stand on this issue and we must have a law that’s protective enough. The streets must be made safe for women to walk? Why should a woman’s mobility be curtailed? “ she asks.

Shubha is happy as long as power politics and politics of hate doesn’t creep in. Kannada actor Ramesh Aravind shares Shubha’ view, he thinks playing politics doesn’t matter as long as justice is accorded and the culprits are put behind bars. 

Some others hoped that this particular case will force a landmark judgement and will lead to framing of a law exclusively for molestation and harrasment crime.

Film producer Ramaa Shanker Aiyer welcomed the minister’s intervention. “We hope the cases of molestation and harrasment against women will be taken up as a serious issue. A law must be framed and the culprits must be dealt with firmly,” she said.

Niranjan Aradhya, professor of Child Rights at the National Law School of India University, thinks the violence and indignity caused to women is on the rise. He believes the responsibility of holding women in high esteem by undoing the patriarchic mindsets should begin by creating a constructive space for women in the society.

“Apart from legal provisions, sensitisation of men to women’s issues is important. We need to develop a new culture of respecting women and creating safe zones for them for a dignified life. It should be the prime duty of every responsible citizen and it is an obligation too,” says Niranjan.

Women are harrased and molested every day. It’s nothing new but if the minister’s intervention can bring about justice that will do good to the rest of the women across the country then it’s a good move, feels Neecia Majolly, a western classical musician in the City.

“It’s high time that women are made to think that they can’t be trampled upon. The only problem with this kind of justice is that it moves really slowly and puts the victim through a lot of trauma and pain. Speedy justice is the need of the hour,” says Neecia.