The question – Is woman a human?

Happy Independence Day…

But the question is, Who is Independent?

Is it the woman who clutches at her pepper spray and keys when walking back home?

Or is the woman who covers every inch of her body even in boiling heat when going to work?

Alas, they always have excuses don’t they?

“She was asking for it” she was an 83-year-old woman.

“She shouldn’t be out late at night” she was killed in broad daylight

“Her character must be the problem” she was a nun

“She must be out alone” she was with a male friend

“Her clothes must’ve been skimpy” she was in her hospital uniform

But they never run out of excuses…

They say we are a free and democratic country, our people have a voice, but when these people talk, their internet is shut down, they are hit…

We are a democratic country, but where is her justice? Why do her killers roam free? Why is the evidence tampered with? Why is she killed if she raises her voice?

We are a free country, but where is she safe? “At home” he barged in her house and crushed her face with a rock;

“With her parents” her father ruthlessly raped her for 2yrs;

“At work” 10 men ruthlessly raped her during her shift at her hospital;

“Maybe in presence of God”

She was raped during a religious procession.

Why is she never allowed to feel safe and secure? Why is her life at risk in every passing moment of her life?

Oh no! Wait, I forgot the biggest question, Does it matter? She is a woman, but is she human?

Of course not, she is an object of amusement, a victim to blame.

This country prides itself on its rich culture. We worship goddesses and “Mata” that is the Mother is holy in our tradition, but we don’t respect the woman in front of our eyes? We worship idols but we treat a woman in flesh and blood like an object. Our mythology mentions Mahabharata, a war waged because a woman was humiliated; it mentions Lanka Dahan, a kingdom burned to search for an abducted woman; but now we only hold candles in front of pictures of women, who have been victims of monstrosity. So tell me, What culture have we preserved? How true is our worship?

Is this the masculinity we talk about? Is this the “Strength” men pride themselves upon? Or is this just disguised cowardice?

Is this monstrosity in the name of patriarchy, really Power? Or is it just some insecure men trying to feel powerful?

You say, not all men, but what about those that are? They still keep her from leaving her house, they still keep her from raising her voice, what about those men?

But well, this is my democratic country, my blood runs colder as I type every word, fearing what will come next and what will become of me…

So, Happy Independence Day to all those who are free.

But to those who aren’t; well, I’ve nothing more left to say…

(The writer is a student of Saint Xaviars College, Mumbai. The views are personal.)