Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

New Year revelries

The molestation of two women by about 70 men in Mumbai on New Year eve should make all civilised people hang their heads in shame. Any revelry devoid of values causing physical or mental agony is a manifestation of a sick mind. The deplorable incident makes me wonder how, in a country where even cruelty to animals is punishable, men commit such heinous crimes against women and go scot-free.

Nothing can be more preposterous than the Shiv Sena’s claim that it is the outsiders — migrants from other States — who are responsible for the incident.

Vengarai S. Raman,

Thanjavur

As a woman, I can understand the horror the two young women must have experienced. I also understand why they did not want to register a police complaint. But I would like to assure them that countless among us endure shameful groping, cat calling and other demeaning gestures everyday we step out of the safety of our homes. Of course, it is never spoken about. We carry on because that is what is expected of us. Should we raise our voice, our relatives would be the first to cow us down to prevent us from bringing shame to the family.

I am glad that media photographers were present at the scene of the shameful incident to bring to light a deep rooted malaise. With indisputable and irrefutable evidence on their side, the two women should have registered a complaint. They would have empowered a thousand voices that never get an opportunity to speak up.

As for the stand of the Mumbai Police Commissioner D.N. Jadhav and many like him, we would like to tell them that women have to go to work, buy groceries and drop off their children at school. Mumbai-like incidents are not triggered by improper attire, alcohol, a dark night, lonely road or New Year buzz. They happen in broad daylight on the roads, in shopping malls and theatres. They happen when women are clad in salwar kameez and sarees. They happen when women are with their husbands, brothers and fathers.

Lithi Lazar,

Chennai

I hate to downplay any of the unpleasant incidents that occurred on New Year’s eve. But the people and the media must understand that ours is a country with a population of one billion plus. The molestation of two women in Mumbai and the death of three youngsters in a Chennai hotel are but isolated incidents. Let people have fun for god’s sake in whatever way they want. People die in temple stampedes too. Can we stop going to temples? They die on the roads. Can we stop walking?

P. Rajesh Menon,

Chennai

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