The Interview of the Rapist

Am happy this interview happened and it came to light. Due process of Law. We all want to follow. But it raises some serious questions and rightly so, not that they haven't been expressed before.


If a case like Nirbhaya's is taking 3 years and more, whats the fate of rest of the cases. Its easy to imagine.

For victims to come out and register a case is so difficult. Social stigma, fear of retaliation by the attacker, dissuading police make it almost impossible.

Once registered, the so called fast tracking,  granted to us by law makers after so many consultations,  revelations, brain storming for years, drags on for ever.

Finally judgement delivered. Its death. Nothing less. But he appeals, the court again takes years to hear the appeal and then to take a decision on it. Let's think, the court rejected the appeal.

The accused then appeals to the President of India. He/ She again take their own time. Now, for all we know, he might be pardoned for what ever reason or death turned to life term.

Can any one see justice here. One might even forget what happened and to whom? Is this kind of justice deterring perpetrators? The answer is the Interview in question. Instead of looking at why this is happening, our neta log are busy singling out who gave permission and take action on them. Shame on them.

Who is to blame? The Judges? The Judicial System? The Political System? Or We The People? While its easy to blame the other and which is what we have been doing till now, the answer is WRITTEN ON THE WALL IN BOLD.

Why does the Govt ban the interview to be telecast. Coz its afraid of the rage it would create among the public. Coz its afraid that the number of people asking questions will rise. 

Enough of sitting on the sidelines and expecting others to do what you want.
Enough of blaming it on fate.
Step On. Your Life Your Responsibility.
Do what ever is needed. Whether its participating in a protest, asking for answers from authorities, asserting your rights, disbursing your duties, supporting good politics and become a part of the process.
Be The Change You Want To See.

Is it a School or Khap Panchayat?

A class 10 girl, one of the toppers in the class, from a high end school in Bangalore, daughter of highly educated parents has taken her life in the fit of a moment in an agonizing way 2 days back. It was shocking to say the least. Is the school at fault or the parents or the girl herself. Or we as a society to blame?
This is not the first time, we have seen such incidents. A well known legislature's daughter killed herself few months back over a similar issue.

The school should have handled the issue in a much better way. . The Heads of Education themselves are not 'educated' nor in a position to educate the children. Its time we look at 'Education' from a totally new perspective. We should realize that the world has moved on. And it doesn't help a bit, if we stay stuck to our centuries old outlook towards emotional and social issues, specially concerning teenagers. Lifeskills are an important part of educating a child.

I want to ask these so called 'Educationalists' how different are they from 'Khap Panchayat' of Haryana. A friendly hug on campus play ground. According to reports, she has been made to stand in the corridor for 2 hrs and been suspended for day and half, and been handed over with reprimanding letters. Come on. If you indeed feel its wrong, there is a way to handle it.Why don't the schools have councellors on campus. With information overload and exposure to otherwise unimaginable faces of the world at a young age due to internet and mobiles, today's youngsters are being served with more than they can handle, although not intentionally.

Councellors on campus is the #needofthehour.

Now to the parents, along with a responsible handling of gadgets, we should also maintain a healthy and sound relationship with the child. We shouldn't forget that we are the only closest people the child really can count on. The child should be assured of this at every stage. When ever such issue crops up, it should be handled in a sensible way, how much ever enraged we are. This must be an ongoing process. Right from a young age. Teenage is something where this bond has to be stronger than ever. We need to adopt ourselves to the changing times, and accept change.

Then children, should be taught to be self confident and positive. Nothing can be end of the world. The parents, teachers and the society are equally responsible to make them feel such. Where do we begin??? Can we do it?

Why Indian Sarkar can't do much about Women's safety.

Well..... let me ask you first.
Have you ever donated to any political party? Mostly NO.
Then where do these traditional parties get their thousands of crores from? Corporates and businesses(Eg: Real estate. Off late most of these business people started to contest by themselves to eliminate middlemen(read elected reps)).
Now the so called "Leaders" once they get elected have to return the favour. So they become busy in working for the interests of these few who helped them generously win election.

How will they be left with any time to work for anyone else( read #Aamaadmi)
They will throw some freebies here some subsidies there. This is more than enough for those millions whose expectations are way below, because for them survival is a miracle on a day to day basis. We have Religion and caste to add a strong emotional flavour to the vote.

Meanwhile, they don't really care what the rest of millions ask for, as they know that these BUSY people are never a threat. They hardly vote. Some of them will keep raising issues, shout, file RTIs, get killed as a bonus, do protests, file PILs in court. But to the Govt which works on several IMPORTANT issues, these are all trivial. They can wait. Funds become a problem. Manpower becomes a problem.(Mind you, funds are not an issue for foreign STUDY tours of our elected reps.)

Now tell me, why would they care if SOME WOMEN gets raped, some where.
Its time for some soul searching, my friends. 

Who should be tracked? Child or the Criminal?

In view of the rising spate of crimes on women and children , there has been a prolific rise in technology based solutions(apps and devices). Or are they really?
Let's look at what they are offering. Real time tracking, SOS, tamper proof devices etc. These need to be worn by the child/person who is seeking safety. At this rate every individual would need one device. Even then, how would it prevent crime? Will people be able to come to rescue so quickly? There are so many such questions and issues which are not fool proof.
Should we be living in perpetual fear, always looking over our shoulders, wearing all kinds of devices, and still be vulnerable?
Shouldn't the focus be instead on tracking the criminals? Atleast the ones who have been booked previously in some kind of crime. Can't we work out a solution where human rights are not really infringed upon. May be its a small price to pay as long as it allows us to save thousands of innocent souls from the heinous crimes that are being perpetrated upon them.
Won't it lead to a better society...

Embrace Me.

Yes. I need you. Thoughtful, honest, hardworking, believers, doers, open, liberal minds.  Is it too much to ask? Who am I? I am sure you will be able to make out... Meanwhile, I want you to think again. Don't you all have these qualities already? No doubt. Then what is it that is still ailing me? Just one thing. Apathy. 
Why so many of you consider me untouchable? When some people who have embraced me, try to do the same good work that you people do, they are left alone. Why? Is it fear? Dislike? Is it selfisness, or is it the fear of what people might think? Just because some men are rapists, murderers, is it fair to  paint all men as rapists and murderers? Just because some mother in laws have tortured their daughter in laws, is it acceptable to call all of them heartless?

Yes, its the same situation here too. Am politics. People have stayed away from me, stating am dirty. Am I the naughty kid? The bad one? Responsible for making my self dirty. Is it my mistake that I am dirty today? Or is it the people who made me dirty? Or is it that tribe who chose to stay away, knowing completely well, that I am being abused? Will you be a silent bystander, if this abuse happens in front of your eyes to your family members? Then why are you now?  Am a not a part of your life? Your experience of every day life depends on people who use me to run our democracy. How much money you are left with at the end of the day, depends on me. Whether you are able to bear your family's health care costs depends on me. Whether you are feeling safe when your wife or child steps out, depends on me. Whether you are getting water to drink, good roads to travel, decent affordable education to your child depends on me. When every thing in your life depends on me, why is it that you all still choose to stay away from me.

Its time, you stop this alienation. I need help. I need care. I need honest, sincere care takers. I can't take this abuse anymore. May be its tough. But don't stay away. Support those who want to embrace me. There are people, parties who are indeed sincerely trying to make a difference, to bring back my glory. Support them whole heartedly. I am battered. I need you. Don't forget your forefathers, freedom fighters, nation builders who could have never built the Nation you are enjoying , if they have shied away from me. Am not untouchable. But I need to be clean, for you to live a happy and healthy life. Come, Embrace Me.

Yes. This is the only news!

"Is this the only news you have?" asked the Chief Minister of Karnataka when asked about the measures taken by the government. 

Can he be any more insensitive?

This, and many such statements by our elected leaders, demonstrate their attitude towards their electorate. Can we rely on them to

run our country?  Can we rely on them to make the right policies and implement them?

All of us stayed out of political process and are now paying the price for it; we have to listen to such insensitive comments on a daily

basis from the so called democratically elected public representatives. It is time, we put our energies together to bring systemic

change.  As you know I'm working with Loksatta which has a great track record of bringing reform and enacting strong laws, even

without having elected representatives in the legislature.  

Our ultimate aim is to bring a REAL CHANGE in the current situation. Yes, some promises been made. But there is no clarity on timelines, or how they are going to do it. 

Eye wash measures, or some arrests just to keep public satisfied, are not acceptable.

With help from eminent women Leaders of Loksatta, Bangalore, we are drafting policy changes that will bring long lasting positive changes in our system. For example, there must be a known "Sexual offenders list" that is put in place and background verification MUST be done against that. That would have saved the child from VIBGYOR.

Ever since my petition on change.org went viral, I've been inundated with calls, messages, media - I realized that there is a huge dearth of leadership

in our society. Instead of waiting for some great leader to emerge, each of us must be the LEADERS and fight for change. I am committing to this

cause and will not rest until systemic changes are realized. I'm willing to go to every Minister, every Party, ever Legislator until we get it done.

Will you support me?  If yes, let's join together at Town Hall on Sunday 27th July at 11AM. Let's walk together to Freedom Park raising awareness

and sending a strong signal to our insensitive leaders that "YES, THIS IS THE ONLY ISSUE" and "IT MUST BE FIXED NOW"

Please. Not another child.

One more innocent child comes under sexual assault. And this time not just in some home or isolated place, it happened inside an upmarket school, that too during the school hours. This is a shock. If a high end school can’t ensure the safety of my child, then who can. I thought of my two young daughters. A shiver ran through my spine. I just thought what that child would be going through. How it will impact her outlook towards the world, how much of a pain she must have gone through. It rattled me. I felt breathless. On hearing that the school has shirked its responsibility off the whole affair, and in fact tried to hush it up, has enraged me further.

Its just not about this one child, in the last one week, there were unbelievable brutal attacks on women of all ages, from all strata of society. What’s wrong? How can I step out without fear of getting dragged in to a passing car. How do I walk on road anymore? I don’t want to live in fear. It’s my basic right to be able to live without fear, with dignity in a safe society. For long, we were complacent with ‘it didn’t affect me, so I don’t care’ kind of attitude.

I was perturbed. Disturbed beyond words.  “What can I do?”  These words haunted me.

I was clear. This time, I don’t want to sit back and cry.  I don’t want to control my emotions. I no more want to blame the world. I need to take charge. Let me do something, which will really create an impact, a long lasting one, which will be a beginning to the end of atrocities committed by mindless, cruel, digressed beings that are a shame to humanity.

I wasn’t sure how I was going to make it happen. But change.org seemed to give me a platform to express my anguish, to gather the support of like minded people, who don’t want to just sit and crib, but want to be the path to Action. I have signed many before, but for the first time, I started a petition by myself. Quickly it’s no more my fight; it became ‘OUR FIGHT’. Collectively, our voices have much larger impact, and I am intent upon taking everyone along with me in this journey to achieve our collective goal.

At almost the same time, I saw another petition started by another mother which was taking off online, much faster. I was glad that there is more support pouring in. It’s time we make ourselves Matter. It’s time the Government realizes we are not ones to be taken for granted.