The recent gang rape and murderous assault on a young girl in New Delhi is rocking the nation, as it had never been before. Practically the entire nation – women’s organisations, politicians, parliamentarians, print and electoral media and general public – is manifestly appalled at the gruesome torturous physical and sexual assault on a hapless student. It has shaken the very conscience of the nation. India appeared united in responding to the remorseless attacks on womenfolk in general and the Delhi girl in particular. Newspapers are running surveys on what could be the best measures to prevent such horrendous fate lurking for all women, whether they are in their homes, or commuting for work or studies. Overwhelming ratios suggest deterrent punishment, like hanging to death, life term, and even castration of the rapists. India, being a very soft state, has always avoided extreme measures. However, now even hardline Hindu organisations feel no qualms, prescribing and calling for Shari’ah punishment for rape crime, just like in Saudi Arabia.
According to a news report, published by widely circulated Urdu daily, Inquilab, Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha’s senior leader, Swami Omji, who belongs to the parivar that has been traditionally against Islam and Muslims, has openly come out with Shari’ah punishment to rapist. He has said, as Islamic Shari’ah punishes crimes of rape and fornication, India’s laws too impose the same laws and Parliament should amend the laws accordingly. According to Swami, he has been in consultation with members of Parliament and they too are in agreement. Swami said he would file a writ petition in the Supreme Court and will demand that it instruct the Indian Government in this regard. Swami had visited the hospitalised girl and reported that the girl does not want to die.
The victim suffered extensive injuries and her gangrenous intestines were taken out. The rapists had forced iron rods into her privates. While fighting for her life, she breathed her last in a hospital in Singapore. Prayers and vigils are held around the country. However, unlike the United States, where President Barack Obama carried his entire nation in mourning on the death by shootings of 20 children and 6 teachers, India’s President, Prime Minister and main ruling coalition Congress Party’s chief, a woman, Sonia Gandhi have remained at best very proper and failed to match public outrage.
The ruling oligarchy is as feudal and patriarchal as if India is still in the Stone Age. Atrocities on women is on the increase, as more and more women are coming out for education and employment and have to perforce increase their interactions with the male kind. Unless the Government of India fully comprehends the paradigms of the changes in the society and devise measures to impose strict laws and fast-courts for such inhuman and deliberate attacks on innocent girls and women, the growing urbanisation will take heavy toll on the women and their human rights as equal citizens of the nation.