Rape is not a new crime. Its gets reported consistently. Many never do. Some make it to the front page, some times in the crime pages, some times, just a footnote buried in the city pages. It happens across various parts of the country, socio-economic groups, age groups, day or night - irrespective of what the woman wore. The politicians take easy way (of being populist?) and hide behind the patriarchal set up and let things be. The Tehelka report on police stupidity and insensitivity is epic. Basically, better to pass the blame elsewhere. Worse, to the victim.
There is some discussion in the Parliament sparked by the Delhi Gang Rape. Keeping my fingers crossed with some effective, constructive, implementable solution to come out.
We need to make 2013 Year of Rape Convictions.
The Home dept and Supreme court MUST pass an instruction to all the district courts in the country to have AT LEAST ONE JUDGEMENT per day per court in 2013.
Of the 30 million pending cases, prioritise the rape cases and start a separate bench to clear the rape cases. We just need one judge per court to work 365 days to bring a huge social change. After a speedy and fair trial, 365 rape cases will be closed in one year in every district and high court in the country. So, in one swift move approximately over 2 lakh cases can be resolved.
Once we have that amount of convictions in the country, the potential rapists will think hundred time before any mischief. And the media too has to give it adequate coverage, like it does to the crime. In all fairness, daily one picture of the convict and the punishment given to him should be splashed across all newspapers and audio visual media.
PS: There was a Phoolan who was gang raped. She got her vengeance by picking up arms. If this poor conviction rate prevails, i wont be surprised if more women choose arms over the legal system. There will be anarchy and situation will truly get out of control.
