E-Paper
Day of reckoning
Following the gruesome gang rape and death of a 23-year-old Delhi student, the country stands united in its wrath against a system that fails in protecting its citizens and in delivering justice to victims of crimes. Last month, as protests surged and the Capital’s India Gate became the hub of the country’s change-seeking youngsters, a common sentiment echoed via twitter and Facebook, asking for the Republic Day celebrations to be boycotted.
Following the gruesome gang rape and death of a 23-year-old Delhi student, the country stands united in its wrath against a system that fails in protecting its citizens and in delivering justice to victims of crimes. Last month, as protests surged and the Capital’s India Gate became the hub of the country’s change-seeking youngsters, a common sentiment echoed via twitter and Facebook, asking for the Republic Day celebrations to be boycotted.
This ‘no-show’ would prove to the authorities that the nation still remembers and is waiting for justice to prevail, felt those who were in its favour. But, will this deliver the required results? HT City asks some youngsters from the region who had been a part of protests in Delhi or their own hometowns, if abandoning the observance of the Republic Day will aid in their quest for a better country.
Shampey Sethi, a 25-year-old Chandigarh-based nutrition specialist says she was a part of the protests that took place at New Delhi’s India Gate on December 19, 2012. She questions celebrating the Republic Day when the country’s women feel unprotected. “In Delhi, hundreds of people demanded action against perpetrators of violence against women. But, we were dispersed by use of tear gas and water. This shows the authorities’ insensitive attitude towards citizens.
In such a case, why should the nation gather to hear the Prime Minister and President’s speeches?” she asks. A month later, Shampey is convinced that new thinking won’t be effective until the judicial system strengthens. Similar are the views of Bekunthjot Singh Arora, a 19-year-old Amritsar-based student and an activist with the newly floated IAC (India Against Corruption, a political party headed by Arvind Kejriwal).
“I protested in the Capital for four days in a row, asking for the rapists to be hanged till death. But, I feel every citizen needs to change. Every rape is a national shame, so before seeking quick delivery of justice, we need to instill respect for women in the sons of the land. Celebration of the Republic Day should be boycotted for India’s women are not in a position to enjoy any freedom.
I am proud to be an Indian, which produced figures such as Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and in the current times, Anna Hazare; but now is the time to make changes. Even if that means standing outside girls’ educational institutions and beating up boys who trouble them,” he says.
Echoes Eshjyot Walia, 23, a student at UILS (University Institute of Legal Studies), Panjab University, Chandigarh, “The Republic Day honors the day when the Constitution of India came into force. Therefore, this day should be dedicated to delivering justice to the gang rape victim. This incident makes us question how safe we feel in the country,” she says. Eshyjot believes that a feeling of pride will seep into the citizens only after the accused have been punished.
However, there are some youngsters who think it is unfair to undermine the importance of Republic Day and clash its observance with the agitation on the country’s present state of lawlessness. Imran Ahmad Ali, 20, a student at DAV College, Sector 10, Chandigarh, stresses on the need for improving at an individual level.
“On Facebook, I came across some individuals asking everyone to stay away from Republic Day celebrations. But what about those who partied away on New Year’s Eve? We shouldn’t stop respecting our nation. I was a part of the protests at Shalimar Mall, Panchkula, and in Sector 17, Chandigarh. However, I was shocked to see that many had come there with cameras but without candles.
Some men even passed lewd comments at the women during the march itself. This shows that we need to amend ourselves before asking for the system to change. On a personal level, I am planning to send letters to the principals of tricity, asking them to remove tints from the windows of school buses and to verify the antecedents of bus drivers and conductors before hiring them,” he says.
Arshdeep Singh, 22, an Amritsar-based B-tech student, says, “This incident is a cause of national shame, but that shouldn’t mean we boycott the Republic Day celebrations. Our anger is justified and should serve as an eye-opener for the authorities to take strict action against criminals. On January 26, we should ensure the law is amended and exemplary punishment for rapists is added to it.”
