“Rape”- a forced sexual
indulgence - as surmised by a dictionary. But for the victim it is a loss of
dignity and self respect that is beyond others’ comprehension. This heinous
crime that has no barrier, ubiquitous at the higher end of the society as much
as the lower class, the urban setting and the rural surroundings, the middle
aged and the teen aged. And the worst climax is that it often plunders the
sanctity of a relationship as well.
But the moot question is why does
any man turn into a rapist? What incites him into this devilish role? It is
definitely not the fulfillment of physical needs because the trade of
prostitution runs rife in our societies where the give and take is cheap,
convenient and willful. Is it then ‘provocative dressing’ as stated by a public
servant in a newspaper recently? I fear not. If it was so, how does anybody
explain the rampant rapes of 10-12 year old girls who have barely reached even
their puberty and surely don’t go about provocative clothing or vulgar
dressing?
“Provocative dressing” is the
meekest explanation that I have heard and read for a crime that is diabolic in
nature. Don’t we read shocking, mind numbing stories of rapist brothers and
fathers? If a sister or a daughter, irrespective of her dressing, fuels a man’s
sexual fantasy, it is nothing but a filthy retarded mind. The only explanation
for a rape is the ugly stilted growth of the criminal’s mind. The animalistic side
of him that knows no restrains. The extreme sadism that a rapist enjoys in
physically overpowering his victim and forcing himself upon her borders towards
pathological condition that needs serious help. It is no less than a
psychological illness but sadly this condition sees its consequences in ruining
other’s life.
A peek into the mind of this
criminal reveals that for him women are not humans but desirable toys that are
conveniently “use and throw”. The
centuries old subjugation of women in a repressed society where even the
husband could and does rape his wife, it is not difficult to understand the genesis
of such sick mentality. Right from the formative years, if a boy is made to
respect his mother, sister and other females around him and look upon them as
an equal counterpart of the society, the growth of this kind of infected psyche
can be arrested.
Unfortunately, half the rape
cases are not reported in our country and of those that are, how many rapists do get
convicted? The cases only languor in the court alleys dying a slow death as
does the dignity of a victim. A hard-line dictatorial punishment is the only
measure to check this abominable crime. There is no scope for democracy for a
crime that has no justification. As the saying goes, nip the evil in the bud.
The judiciary should set examples with its punishment that thwart the intention
of every man who sets to commit this crime in the future. A strong social fabric supported by an
unyielding judiciary is the answer to mitigate this despicable crime.
superb radhika.........is should just say...W
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