Why is India Unsafe for Her Daughters?

Session: Why is India Unsafe for Her Daughters?

Speakers:

Priyanka Tibrewal, Advocate

Ushoshi Sengupta, Former Miss Universe India

Nilanjana J Chakraborty, Writer and Activist

Sreerupa Mitra Chaudhury, Activist

Usha Ganguly, Theatre Activist

Session in brief: Why is India Unsafe for Her Daughters?

Why is India unsafe for her daughters was a question that was up for discussion on day 2 of the India Today Conclave 2019. The debate began with a moving performance by thespian Usha Ganguly who staged an excerpt from her play Hum Mukhtara based on the shocking Mukhtaran Mai, rape case. Her words “Na banengi mom ki batti/ Banengi hum jalti mashalay/Hum Mukhtara” resonated with the audience.

The mood of the house dwelled on the two shocking rape cases ruling the headlines the Hyderabad rape case and the Unnao rape case. “I did not believe the news when I heard that the Hyderabad rapists were shot.  As a woman honestly I am happy. As a citizen I am sad. It’s a mixed feeling. As a system we have failed,” she said. Advocate Priyanka Tibrewal took a stronger view of the incidents. “I believe we have had enough. Rape cases take years to get resolved and even then there might not be resolution. What do you do? Do you wait another 7 years?”

Activist Sreerupa Mitra Chaudhury took a more nuanced view, “Let me state that first of all there is no salvation for the rape victims from the family. But I am also shocked. There cannot be justice without a trial. Violence is not the answer to violence,” she said.

Key Takeaways & Quotes:

Usha Ganguly, Theatre Activist

We have to look at the root cause when we look at these events. Where is the safety? But thousand and lakhs incidents happen in their own house and families. It is the whole social structure system, the feudal system that thinks that women are commodities. That is why it needs to be changed. Our society is hypocritical? We ask our daughters to not say the truth of they are violated within Malini. They are asked why did you go out at night ? why did you wear what you did?

On Hyderabad Rapists’ being Shot

My first reaction was 'aaah'. It came from the depths of my soul. But my soul is not enough to decide matters. I have a strong mind too which says this is not the way things should be treated. I believe in the constitution; our laws should be implemented.

Priyanka Tibrewal, Advocate

We speak of fast track courts and Nirbhaya. Our judicial system has failed. Should we wait another 7 years? They couldn’t have allowed them to run away so they had to shoot.

Ushoshi Sengupta, Former Miss Universe India

We also have to look at the police versus women ratio and the fact that there are no women cops in the police stations. There is no awareness about zero FIR can be filed.

The police are being celebrated for shooting but this is the same police that failed to provide protection and were fighting about jurisdiction.

Nilanjana J Chakraborty, Writer and Activist

On Hyderabad:

I am sure I am extremely happy. I followed the Park Street and Nirbhaya and I know how it feels to have the cases unfolding. You don’t know how to get out of t. It’s a basically systemic failure. I have no faith in the legal system. So I really feel enough is enough.

Sreerupa Mitra Chaudhury, Activist

We don’t trust the police in this country. I have watched policemen mess up cases, planting witnesses, mismanaged cases so how do we know what really happened? Even Ajmal Kasab was given a trial. Each and every citizen has the right of defense.

The justice delivery system needs to be enforced. There has been an 873 per cent rise in rape case. Yet today we are talking fast track courts where 100033 cases are still pending. Where is the change and urgency in the judiciary? The justice delivery system needs to be enforced. There has been an 873 per cent rise in rape case. Yet today we are talking fast track courts where 100033 cases are still pending. Where is the change and urgency in the judiciary? Why is the justice delivery system not going digital?