The recent assault and abuse of a poor and innocent woman in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh has justifiably raised nationwide concern and condemnation.  Obviously, such an angry reaction implies that the basic value system in Indian society is sound and is intact, as the indignation expressed and frustration feeling voiced by the people about such incidents is spontaneous. Certainly, there is a huge concern in the nation about violence, especially sexual violence, against women.

This is not the first time that such cases of abuse and crimes against women have taken place in the country and it has been frequently reported. While some cases get a lot of media coverage, there are several other similar instances that go unnoticed or if reported are relegated to a corner in the newspaper.

Who should be blamed for this situation?

While the need of the time is that the safety of women should be protected by initiating meaningful measures and steps. But unfortunately, when such incidents take place, the politicians use it for getting political scores against their opponents and the media use it for increasing their TRP. Surely, the present incident in Uttar Pradesh would not be a matter of concern for them after a few days when their objectives would be achieved. The media glare and the political attention for the victim would fade away soon, leaving the parents and family members to grieve amongst themselves.

It is true that violence against women has been prevalent and being reported for the past many centuries. Many steps have been taken to improve their status in society and over the times their status has improved considerably. But still, the ultimate goal of securing absolute safety for women is far away.

The ground reality is that violence and exploitation of the weak is part of human behavior, whether it is a man or woman. Men act violently against men, women act violently against women, men act violently against women, and sometimes women also act violently against men. In this process, the weak suffer the most.

Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence

The ultimate solution to this problem is Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy that preaches against violence in thoughts and actions.

Violence against a helpless woman in Hathras has occurred at a time when the country was preparing to celebrate Gandhi Jayanti on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi’s 151st birth anniversary on October 2. This time, Gandhi Jayanti was celebrated without much reference to the non-violence philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi, with political parties accusing each other and holding demonstrations, as part of their vote bank politics. 

The incident happened on September 14, when the 19-year-old Dalit woman was allegedly gang-raped and severely beaten up by four upper-caste men. After fighting for her life for two weeks, she died in a Delhi hospital. After her death, the police cremated her in the dead of night, claiming that her death could trigger large-scale caste violence in the area. The family has alleged that the police did not take their permission, and instead locked them up so that they could not participate in the last rites. The incident shook the country.

Today, the country needs not only strong laws and their right implementation but highly objective sane voices against violence in thoughts and actions amongst individuals. The battle for the future has to be fought in the minds and hearts of men and women in India.  The bitter fact is that such sane voices are seldom heard in India these days.

All noise, no action

The politicians and the media who have made such big noise about the violence against an innocent woman in UP are more focused on the blame-game rather than on the failure to create a climate of amity and harmony in the country and preservation of value systems.

Of course, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been frequently stressing about the need for work culture, disciplined life, cleanliness, and value systems. However, the media seldom report such lofty themes propounded by the prime minister in a prominent way, and sometimes, do not mention it at all. In any case, one man talking on these lines is not enough and others too should take it up at various levels. These ideas and ideals should echo throughout the length and breadth of the country.

Unfortunately, today, the country has gone under the stranglehold of the politicians, most of whom are known to be corrupt and dishonest and do not command any moral stature. It appears that such politicians do not have the character to build a morally and ethically resurgent India. The country cannot depend upon them for achieving such targets.
 
Moral education in schools

It appears that the only way now is that the government should issue an order that all schools and colleges must compulsorily have a moral education class at least for one hour every week and it should form part of  the curriculum and examination should be conducted on this topic.

Credible citizens who are concerned about the need for a non-violent and ethical society should be invited to take such classes in schools and colleges. This will help in laying the foundation among the young minds.

Inculcating value systems amongst the children in the formative age appear to be the only possible solution to promote a society where moral and ethical forces would gain an upper hand.

(The writer is a Trustee, NGO Nandini Voice for the Deprived, Chennai. The views expressed are personal. He can be contacted at nsvenkatchennai@gmail.com)