The Hindu : Kerala News : Conceals more

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jan 12, 2005

Kerala

Kerala

Conceals more

Conceals more

Sir, — The write-up `Kerala homes: theatres of violence' (January 2, 2005) conceals more than it reveals.

A parliamentary committee on women prisoners and their problems has found that all the inmates of a jail are either mothers-in-law who have murdered their daughters-in-law or daughters-in-law who have murdered their mothers-in-law. The findings cannot be more revealing. The root cause of domestic violence is directly traceable to the perpetual warfare at home between in-laws; and if they are all still under the same roof it is only because of the men at home who keep them apart. Most of the families are not homes but courts, and the daily trials of men — for all the misfortunes are directed to hapless men without even a word of appreciation, let alone support — compel them to take to alcoholism and sexual violence, to give vent to their suppressed feelings of hurt and humiliation. The possessive parents are all praise for the achievements and qualities of their dear off-springs, but when it comes to the sons or daughters of other mothers they are tongue-tied.

In spite of various Supreme Court directives, many families earmark their property for sons. This leaves the young girls to the mercy of in-laws at another home. The families and communities which indulge in this practice not only violate the law but also perpetuate family feuds, climaxing in suicides or breaking of marital relationships.

Alcoholism is another reason. Unless serious and concerted efforts are made to banish bottles from bedrooms, no one will sleep in peace at home or in the neighbourhood.

K.P. Karunakaran Nair,

general secretary, Confederation of Residents' Association, Thiruvananthapuram.

Independence

The article on domestic violence was a very interesting one — but disturbing too. There is much talk about laws to prevent atrocities on women and about the ignorance of women on their rights. But even if a woman is aware of her rights, the chances of her taking legal action against a violent husband and the in-laws are very less. I know educated young girls (the so-called new faces of Indian women) who feel that a wife should not object to an alcoholic violent husband and that he has every right to beat his wife. This may be termed as `pativratyam' by some and meekness by some others.

The real reason I feel is the lack of independence for women. It is not the case of financial independence alone, but the case of lack of emotional and social independence as well. Society looks upon a single woman (divorced or happily single) with much contempt. The norms of society are such that the presence of a man around a woman shields her from unwanted elements. So women are forced to continue with an unhappy marriage without even a whimper. So if we wish to empower women we will have to change the outlook of society. For that, the best way is to teach our children who will make tomorrow's society, the values of humanity. We can teach them to respect others feelings irrespective of their being a man or woman.

Sreedevi Krishnan,

Shoranur.

Social realities

Sir, — Many homes in Kerala are sitting on volcanic islands. As one philosopher says, every human mind is an island but aware of its limitations. It is not economy or education that creates scenes of violence in homes.

Christian homes are in the forefront with respect to economic prosperity, individual liberty and education, but most of their women face domestic violence. Most of them endure it because of the archaic hold of socio-religious norms.

Indian thinking, irrespective of the religion, resists to accept the realities of changing times. Home violence is one of the realities just like dowry, social isolations and black money which create most of the social injustices.

I hope your attempts should not go in vain in changing the archaic trends of Kerala society.

K.C. Kurian,

Thiruvalla.

An eye-opener

Sir, — The write-up "The story of derailed probes" (November 30, 2004 ) is really an eye-opener.

In the present system, we come across many instances of social crimes, the nature and types of which have no precedents. Daylight robbery, murder, molestation of women are a few examples. Immediately on getting any such news, most of us feel sympathy for the victims and hope that the culprits will be booked so that similar acts are not committed by them in future. But unfortunately, in practice, it is seen that in majority of the cases the offenders go scot-free.

On an analysis of the various factors confronting such cases, it can be seen that the following reasons also can be attributed to the above.

Complexities in the system of law (Indian Penal Code and Criminal Penal Code): This leads to exhaustive arguments resulting in a long delay in the disposal of cases. Quite often, the very concept that justice delayed is justice denied is easily forgotten.

Political interference: The system of democracy is very liberal in all respects. Those at the helm of affairs have no hesitation in interfering with the process of law, which definitely results in the escape of the culprits.

People's court: The supreme court is the people. But the irony is that in our system of election, the electorate has no choice to elect a leader of his or her choice. What he or she can do is just cast the vote as dictated by political parties who field their candidates on consideration of partisan interests rather than the interests of the State or the people at large. Notorious characters are thus able to win elections by the power of money and other influences and reach the seats of power, from whom we need not expect much better.

We know that in the Middle-East the rate of crime is substantially low. The main reason is that there the punishment is severe, if not brutal. In Lakshadweep, it is reported that the police have no work at all because no citizen will commit any crime there either knowingly or unknowingly. The administrative machinery can put an end to all sorts of offences if there is a political will.

K.K. Narayanan Nair,

Ernakulam.

general secretary, Confederation of Residents' Association, Thiruvananthapuram.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Kerala