PK MAM
“Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted, the indifference of those who should have known better, the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most, that has made it possible for evil to triumph.” – Haile Selassie. Women have long been the primary source of intellectual and emotional inspiration for men. This reverence is reflected in the worship of mother goddesses across civilizations, acknowledging their role as givers of life, nourishment, and strength. Yet, in real life, women continue to face disrespect and injustice. The gap between ritualistic veneration and societal reality is glaring. A disturbing example of this disconnect was seen recently in the televised spectacle of India’s Got Latent, where misogynistic remarks and body-shaming were shamelessly aired. Daily, reports of sexual abuse against women flood both print and electronic media, leaving society grappling with shame and distress. These horrific acts are not new, but their frequency and brazenness have escalated, spreading like a pandemic that corrodes the moral fabric of our society. The real culprit is the beast within man, as reports reveal that no institution-be it educational, corporate, or religious-is immune to sexual exploitation and harassment. The situation is both disgraceful and alarming.
Sexual predators follow a calculated modus operandi, identifying vulnerable individuals or circumstances to exploit for their selfish gains. Their boldness often increases when they sense a lack of consequences for their actions. While public outrage erupts in protests and expressions of collective anguish, it is short-lived. Soon, society retreats into complacency, adopting a false sense of security-“we are safe, others are affected”-rather than working towards real solutions to eradicate such evils.
Encouragingly, the Supreme Court recently condemned a case as a “show of perverted mind” and called for strict action. However, despite recognizing the gravity of the situation, the court refrained from ordering the immediate arrest of the accused, highlighting the systemic delays and gaps in law enforcement.
India’s judicial system is often criticized for its inefficiency, with over four crore pending cases across various courts. This backlog denies justice to millions while allowing perpetrators to exploit legal loopholes. In some states, cases reportedly took decades-Arunachal Pradesh once took up to 99 years, while others ranged between 20 to 55 years. For a rape survivor, the idea of waiting until she was a grandmother to receive justice was not just a cruel joke but a damning indictment of a broken system.
Addressing the Crisis: A Call to Action
Sigmund Freud, a Western psychologist, has said that all humans have natural drivers and urges repressed in the “unconscious.” Human beings are innately curious and perpetually learning creatures. However, in our fast-paced world, the constant influence of social media, TV, and other distractions often disrupts our peace and leads us to turn against one another. We must acknowledge that human nature is unpredictable. Just as dogs were domesticated from wolves but retained certain primal characteristics, humans evolved from hunter-gatherer ancestors over thousands of years, yet some of our primal instincts still emerge when they align with our personal or community interests.
Further, people generally suffer when they are unable to satisfy their limitless needs, and crisis situations can stem from anything-work pressures, professional disturbances, or personal struggles. In fact, all humans have criminal tendencies-not by birth but as slaves to circumstances. Through the process of socialization, these tendencies are curbed by the development of inner control that is learned.
Thus, it is imperative to create awareness, sensitize society, and hold authorities accountable to close systemic loopholes. Basic civility will only be restored when those who commit these heinous acts face swift and severe consequences. And, it is from here that the superconscious needs to act. It must make an effort not to harbor negative thoughts.
Suggested Measures
a) Lead by Example: Moral values cannot be instilled in youth through sermons alone. Elders must embody and uphold high standards of conduct, inspiring the younger generation to follow suit.
b) Self-Defense Training: Women and girls should receive self-protection training to counter predators who seek to exploit their vulnerability.
c) Vigilant Law Enforcement: Police must maintain strict surveillance on habitual offenders and take proactive action before crimes occur.
d) Legal Reforms: The government should consider easing gun laws for women’s self-defense, similar to laws in the United States.
e) Swift and Severe Punishment: Heinous crimes like rape and murder demand rigorous punishment. Death penalties should be mandated, and fast-track courts must ensure speedy trials without political or bureaucratic interference.
f) Religious and Community Accountability: Faith leaders must publicly denounce sexual violence, condemn perpetrators, and ensure their expulsion from communities to create a strong social deterrent.
g) Cultural Shift in Gender Education: Boy’s must be taught from a young age to respect women, regardless of their background. Gender equality and mutual respect should be ingrained in social conditioning.
h) Regulating Obscene Digital Content : With the rapid expansion of OTT platforms and digital media, explicit and inappropriate content is becoming increasingly accessible. This calls for a well-structured regulatory framework that is transparent, clearly defined, and developed in consultation with stakeholders. The objective should not be outright censorship but responsible content creation-one that upholds democratic values while respecting social and ethical standards. Strengthening content guidelines, enforcing age-appropriate restrictions, and promoting digital literacy can help curb the negative influence of obscene and harmful media on society.
A Wake-Up Call for Society
All law-abiding citizens, social groups, and enforcement agencies must take proactive measures to deter such horrendous crimes. The root of the problem lies in the certainty of consequences-without it, crime thrives. Those in positions of power and influence cannot absolve themselves of the responsibility to uphold societal values. It is time for a collective, unwavering stand against those who foster and perpetuate evil. Only through determined efforts can we restore justice, dignity, and morality in our society.
A challenge to nip the evil in the bud in whatever form it exists.