Knowcusp

Had a few questions and wanted to convey some things on the gruesome incident in Kolkata and about the other similar cases constantly happening in different parts of India since a long time. It took time to write considering the sensitivity of the topic and issues.

What happened was more than brutal and horrific. More disturbing is the fact that there is a string of such ghastly incidents. A systematic, cultural, and educational change is absolutely necessary. Systematic and judicial to instill fear that no man should even think about doing such a heinous act ever. The time is already ticking for Indian judiciary as the focus is on them. Nobody deserves a life of constant fear and safety is the most basic right for all. It’s just not the way on should live life.

Cultural, in terms of the kind of films and songs that are made and promoted by our society’s so-called celebrities, both men and women. I have a big question here, why is it that objectifying women is so common in films? Don’t we as a society have this much sense that what impact does it have on children and what they might learn from it since a very young age? is it fine to promote anything under the garb of art? Since 90s it’s become so common in these films and songs to stalk, chase, call names and cheat a woman and how do these songs get billions of views, and these films are box office successes is baffling.

Countless examples of body objectification in films and TV shows. Do these celebs think and behave in real life the same as they do in their movies? Then why even promote it this much which can influence even a single boy to try out such things when they know this is all easily accessible at a click of a button. This applies to the west as well and the repercussions can be seen all over the world. Yes, it’s foremost the responsibility of parents to educate and guide their children but does that mean that there’s no responsibility of the society at large? Many of these celebrities with so much power and money won’t even speak about such or any important incidents because they have little to no moral obligations and are simply driven by their greed and agendas in life. They are worshipped even after setting wrong standards and still we fall prey to their constant manipulations.

Another aspect of culture is in the ‘traditions’ that surround a woman which are very much focused on her outer appearance. A very close case to us is of families starting to save huge amounts for marriage of their daughter as soon as she is born. Then she can be an engineer, a scientist, a doctor a poet, anything great that requires practice, intellect and caliber of highest level rather than just mere external beauty. As soon as she turns 25, she has to somehow settle for little in life because suddenly now she is compelled to marry, have kids and raise a family. I am not against marriage or having kids, but this institution and mentality has its set of faults and clearly focuses on being body identified when to comes to life of a woman rather than a human with ambitions and it ultimately sends a wrong message to the larger society. Maybe she can explore the world, become the greatest in her field, teach others, but no. These traditions have done more harm than good, I would say destroyed lives of many women even in metro cities then we can’t even imagine the plight of women in villages.

And then we come to the educational change which is more about internal and mindset change required as a society. Moving towards the core basics of life, empathy and humanity. When we as a society move away from the core of why we can critically think and are distinct from animals, it reflects in the acts that we can see in our daily lives. To simply put, it doesn’t take time to become an animal, or even worse. Look who we celebrate around us as a society, people who are great thinkers and doers or those who are merely based on external appearance, shallow power and wealth. This might seem trivial, but in the larger context, it sets examples in society and signals that any form of pleasure and consumption is of utmost importance. Then there’s no space left for morality and standards, it’s all instincts that take over.

I somehow hope and pray that there should be an absolute systemic change after this but also an overall change and we think and reflect of what we promote/support in the social fabric whether it be directly or indirectly. I am thankful for the common citizens that they are creating pressure on the politicians, judiciary and the police to take action but again, very serious reforms are needed and it’s an overall a very grim and sad state considering the malicious intent of the people in power in our country. Ask questions, don’t follow the acts of people blindly, gather and debate to hold people accountable is the only way forward.

Change will start from our homes and we need to take advantage of the voices we already have until they too are silenced. We can always start from where we are in whichever professions we are in.

Please do share this message forward and hope we get justice for this and the other cases. Ultimately humanity in us will be the only thing left to save us all.