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India raped again…

I live in the hope that things will change…

I may die in fear that they never may…

Just returned to my childhood city and realized that once again “we” have been raped.  The rape of a 5 year old girl child by neighbours even when we were still protesting over last Nirbhaya case depicts the sad state of the city.

We heard the Khap talking about early marriage, so-called leaders blaming these incidences on  girls as they stay out late/dress provocatively(whatever that means).In this case of  5 year old being raped brutally in her own neighbourhood,what do they have to say?  Should she have been married at birth? And for that matter, Are married women not raped here in this rape-capital? Do they ask age/status before raping??

I dismiss these excuses as bullshit but then I also know many of them speaking this language are not only a bunch of ill-informed, orthodox people, they are our democratically elected representatives who Instead of acting/reforming the situation or taking any damn action;  debate, discuss it on cameras and make full use of the tragic incidence as a media tool.

I am a woman who is trying to live a happy life, make a living by working hard, pay my taxes on time and abide by the rules of the nation then Why do I feel that risk everytime I travel to home alone at night, return from a party and dress the way I want to. Don’t I have the right to voice my anger? Do you not owe me a safe city ? What the hell is the role of government and what kind of governance is this? What are the police men doing? Slapping rape protesters? Is this what they are meant to do? Why do I have to live in this constant fear ??

And for all those who leave no chance to pass irresponsible statements and believe that rape happens because a woman is provocatively dressed, unmarried, or giving her tacit assent to the act of violation of her privacy, let me present to you once again how rape is defined in the law. I am sure the definition that you have in your tiny head will be entirely different.

The law says: "Section 375. Sexual Assault”:

 Sexual assault means 

 -    the introduction to any extent by a man of an object or a part of the body into the vagina (which      term shall include the labia majora) or anus or urethra of a woman

-    manipulating any part of the body of a child so as to cause penetration of the vagina (which term shall include labia majora) anus or the urethra of the offender by any part of the child's body;

In circumstances falling under any of the six following descriptions:

-          Firstly - Against the complainant's will.

-          Secondly - Without the complainant's consent.

-          Thirdly - With the complainant's consent when such consent has been obtained by putting her or any person in whom the complainant is interested, in fear of death or hurt.

-          Fourthly - With the complainant's consent, when the man knows that he is not the husband of such complainant and that the complainant's consent is given because the complainant believes that the offender is another man to whom the complainant is or believes herself to be lawfully married.

-          Fifthly - With the consent of the complainant, when, at the time of giving such consent, by reason of unsoundness of mind or intoxication or the administration by the offender personally or through another of any stupefying or unwholesome substance, the complainant is unable to understand the nature and consequences of that to which such complainant gives consent.

-          Sixthly - With or without the complainant's consent, when such complainant is under eighteen years of age. Provided that consent shall be a valid defence if the complainant is between sixteen years and eighteen years of age and the accused Person is not more than five years older.

Nowhere has it said that the rape is not a rape if a woman ‘provoked’ it.

A rape is a rape… When you rape a child/girl/woman, you rape her life, you rape her confidence, you rape the happiness of all women of the society, you rape our safety and make us believe that we are living in a jungle where the only method and hope of protecting ourselves is to be armed always in one or the other way.  We now have to go back to the times when Attack used to be the only form of defense and there was no other law/rule abiding anyone

Naye hawao ki sohbat bigad deti hai, Kabutaro ko khuli chhat biggar deti hai
Jo jurm karte hai..wo bure hote hain,Saza na dekar adalat aur bigad deti hai

(lines inspired  by Rahat Indori)

-       -    Suchetaa

Book Review : The immortals of Meluha : Shiva Trilogy by Amish Tripathi

In Short:

After cricket & movies, religion is the third obsession of Indians(not particularly in that order) and Amish has recognised & used it well in his fiction woven around Lord Shiva. This is the first book of a series of 3 books. The other 2 books are also out.

Before I reach to the plot, let me clarify that this book by no means is a portrayal of Lord Shiva’s life or deeds and is as good as any other fiction with the only exceptions of making it relatively easier to connect by using Shiva’s name and other related character’s name for the plot.

The story weaves around Shiva, a clan leader from Tibet who travels to Meluha: A land of Suryavanshis (a clan that follows solar calendar). His journey took a turn when he became “Neelkanth: The God” as his throat turned blue on drinking somras (a famous drink that delays ageing). The Meluhans, who called themselves Suryavanshis, believed that the Neelkanth will one day come as their saviour and save them from all the evils. Chandravanshis (a clan that follows lunar calendar) were perceived as the evil by all the Meluhans/Suyravanshis. Shiva takes on the responsibility and started the battle against Chandravanshis leading it from the front. The battle ends leading to victory for Suryavanshi’s but not the end of evil. As Shiva then realises that another tribe responsible for all attacks :Nagas are not related to Chandravanshis and therefore his task is not yet complete

The romance of Sati: daughter of King Daksha , the ruler of Meluha and Shiva and the friendship of Shiva & Bhadra serves as a sub-plot

Key Picks & Critics:

1. The definition of Har Har Mahadev as “We all are Gods” is being criticised as the wrong interpretation of the phrase
2. The fictious character ‘Shiva’ is an uneducated tribal who smokes marijuana and is thus being criticised for the association with Lord Shiva
3. Terms used throughout the book like “Oxygen” amongst other words like “damn”, “bullshit” and “idiot” were definitely not used four millennia ago !

Author:

Following the trend, an IIM passout who turned author in order to follow his passion, Amish after 14 years of engagement with financial sector came up with these books. The first book was rejected by quite a few publishers before finally getting a chance and then there was nothing stopping him.

For review of the Second & Third book of Shiva Trilogy : The secret of the Nagas , The oath of the Vayuputras -  Watch out this space!