DailyPost 2791
POLITICAL REIGN OF SEX TERROR
While the stated policy of every government and every political party is zero tolerance to sex crimes, the situation on the ground is radically different to the extent of savagery being practised. If the cases pertained to criminals or mentally demented persons, and perpetrators on the fringes of society or personal rivalry, then it could be treated as the worst of crimes, with the expectation of swift and stringent action with clear cut timelines. If acted earnestly, the government could have somehow claimed to have performed its duty.Here the perpetrators are politicians, elected representatives, the high and the mighty who are at the root of it all.
The 2012 Delhi gang rape and murder, commonly known as Nirbhaya case, given the widespread outrage and consequent stringent amendments of the rape laws, was termed as the watershed moment in the history of crimes against women. In hindsight it did not happen. The crimes continued. What we are now is plagued with not just sex related crimes, but a political reign of sex terror. The party based doublespeak; if the accused belongs to your party, there is a killing silence, if he belongs to any other party, you have to see to believe the heightened energy. Urgency is totally missing. With all their lip service, they just play to the gallery.
A political smokescreen is created where both the accused and powers that are in his support get an easy escape. The malaise is across parties. The incidents that come to light in the recent past are amply clear manifestations of political reign of sex terror. Shamelessness of the powers that be and complete abdication of responsibility and accountability is the name of the game. The unfortunate part is that they are able to get away with it. Take the case of women wrestlers. The accused and the scenes of offence. An MP, doubling up as Federation President, the crime scenes being known areas under his complete control. Guess the number of people having personal knowledge of it. The Supreme court had to intervene for a FIR to be registered. The treatment meted to these women who brought laurels to this country, will go down as one of the darkest chapters in our history.
Today he stands charged. Yet nothing has changed for him. The nature of victims, scale and audacity is mind boggling. This was what is called the political reign of sex terror. Now we move to different geography, a different party, a different level of politician, in the backwaters of rural W.Bengal, Sandeshkhali. TMC strongman became a household name across the country. No official position to boast of, but immunity no less. Now the most recent one, straight out of the political royal’s household of Karnataka. Two generations involved. The crime scene in their full control. The number of women still not confirmed. The duration of crime is mind boggling. The recording, the blackmailing and what not. The way it it is still unfolding, victims running away, all are visible manifestations of a political reign of sex terror. It would be next to impossible to unravel any number of such political reign of sex terror cases across the country. Where do we go from here?
IF THE FENCE EATS THE CROP, WHO WOULD THEN BE THE SAVIOUR?
Sanjay Sahay
Have a nice evening.