The line of ire

The rape of a six-year-old girl in a school in the City has sparked off both peaceful and violent protests. Bangalore has risen as one to condemn the incident and ask the government to bring the guilty under the clutches of law.

Women have been in the forefront leading protestors and shouting slogans. On Tuesday morning, 4,000 students of Mount Carmel College took out a silent march from Vasanthnagar to Raj Bhavan condemning the incident. They were led by the college principal and the staff. Classes were suspended for four hours. 

The girls wore black as a mark of protest, streaked their faces with black colour, carried posters and placards that were more of a warning to men not to look at women in a different light and treat every woman with respect and dignity. 

Sr Arpana, principal of the college, said, “The idea behind the protest is to create awareness about the atrocities against women. No woman should fear to complain if her modesty is put to shame.” 

The girls expressed their fears and didn’t shy away from sharing their personal experiences. Chandana, a second-year commerce student, who is also visually-impaired and was in the group, said, “We want a safe and secure city to live in and we want to walk without fear. I cannot imagine the plight of that child. It shouldn’t happen to anyone.”

Sahithya, Sathvika and Ridhi were holding a placard which read, ‘Neither safe inside the womb nor outside’. On why they chose such strong words, Ridhi explained, “The girl child is killed in the womb because most people don’t want a girl child. As girls grow up, they are under the threat of being sexually abused.” Sahithya pitched in, “No man should dare to look at a girl in the wrong way.”

Recollecting her horrific experience, Raj Kiran CA, cultural secretary of the college, said, “Recently, my friends and I were walking down Palace Guttahalli Road en route to the bus stop when we were suddenly surrounded by about 25 men who made lewd comments and teased us. This happened despite all of us wearing jackets and covering ourselves well.” 

Raj said when she went to lodge a complaint at the nearest police station, “The inspector told us that they will register a case when it happens to us the next time. He refused to take our complaint. We were shocked. Looks like there’s no policing in this City,” he added. 

Chaitra Narayana and Nithya MD, both students of second year BCom, didn’t hesitate to dub the recent heinous acts against women, including the rape of the six-year-old as ‘sexual terrorism’. Chaitra said, “It’s not about the way we dress but the way men look at us. Even if we are wearing Indian clothes, men still pass stray comments.” Nithya added, “I think all men must be taught to respect women in every sense of the term.” 

The staff, who accompanied the students, said that they always tell the girls to dress appropriately and highlight the importance of self- defence. Alice Mathew, a lecturer of the college, said, “It is sad the City police took so long to bring the guilty to justice. Why the delay?”

Valsama Sebastian, another lecturer summed up saying, “I think parents and children should share an open relationship. This will mend most of the problems at home and in society.”