Sanguine Expectations

 

Though a part of me is utterly disturbed by the ever increasing episodes of crimes and violence against women in India, I am equally overwhelmed by the poise of younger generation of women. The new generation of young Indian women are making rapid strides and are holding earlier male bastions. But unfortunately, various surveys conducted across India have undeniably put up a picture where the status of women in our society is marginal.

The new generation of women are now set to defy the prevailing misogynist attitudes of the old genre. The steady, undaunted courage and conviction displayed for young girls and especially those hailing from the middle class truly offer a glimmer of hope. They are casting a new image of dynamic personality in the society through resplendent success in any of the major exams and excelling in all fields of trade. Their ability to work and earn and their knowledge of their rights has grown. Guided by the parents who are equally enthusiastic and passionate women are marching ahead with aplomb and confidence. Steering away from the social stigmas and taboos they are reaching for the skies. Witnessing women occupying all the major chairs/positions by women is true succour to ailed hearts gravely disheartened by the brutal crimes committed against women.

Recent Indian scenario is etched with high-profile cases involving directly or indirectly assaulting the dignity of women. The most hounded Tehelka scandal highlighted the desperate attempts made by the big-wigs and the self-proclaimed moral upholders of society to hush up the incident. But now as the accused stands exposed, it has sent a quick jolt of tremors across the minds nestled with patriarchal ideas. Just as the story is unfolding before us, dramatic turns of events are making headlines. This particular episode of the sexual assault has been receiving the widest censure as the accused for the past 10 years has occupied a pivoted position of a moral crusader. It is a tectonic jolt for the entire journalist community whose credibility is under scanner. This has proved beyond doubt, irrespective of the social advocacy about the rights on the public platform, Indian men can never relinquish their predatory sexual instincts.

Another reason why this issue fail to dodge away from public mind is the impunity of the managing editor. A prominent journalist, known for her affirmative feminist attitudes has played every dirty trick in the book to silence the whole issue. She dispatched an unambiguous message that her business interests reign supreme over her moral conscience.

This defiant compliance of the management with the accused has earned her an outrage among fellow feminists for inflicting an unassailable damage to the victim. The entire cover-up drama is annihilated by the unfazed disposition of the victim who has rebutted each of the charges with electrifying clarity. Now as the sequence of incidents are out in the public domain any attempt to cover-up would tantamount to severity of crime. This particular scandal in particular has witnessed the moral denigration and the chameleon shades of the towering media celebrity, impunity of the business lobbyists and the emergence of Women power. But for the strong stance taken by the young woman, this incident would have died down inside the four walls of the board room. The strong business interests would have completed devoured the anguish and humiliation of the victim and would have placated her to withdraw her complaint. This impregnable position of the victim has lacerated the character assassination plots hitched by the management. With the inspiration of this lady, may hundreds of women who silently suffer this of betrayal at work places stand for their rights and protest against any kind of violation both mental and physical. But unfortunately with political parties entering the fray, the gravity of the real crime is levitated. Hope the fast-track courts deliver a legally effective judgement to intimidate the piquantly cannibalistic attitude of prying men.

Women are now seizing opportunities in various social platforms to make their voices heard. This speaks of the aspirations of the growing tribe of women who no longer want to rest and cuddle up in the charms of glitter and comfort. They are constantly evolving and making people listen to them seriously. Though women are still hunted down under the name of honour-killings and still molested under the garb of the corporate culture, the staunch will and confidence exuberated by the new brigade of women offers a new hope of change.

We are now witnessing a great change in temperament of ordinary women. Their sphere of influence is not restricted to the narrow confines of home. They started exploring the world staying at home and are extremely confident about each and every action in their lives. This essay doesn’t fail to take cognisance of the burgeoning crime against women but vouches for the growing aspirations of young women who are fighting tooth and nail to make their mark felt in this grossly biased society. May this fighting spirit refuse to die and never succumb to violence.

The victim of the Tehelka scandal has opened up new frontiers of challenge and resilience. Instead of finding recluse in the dark alleys of defeat and confinement, women should draw courage from this spirited lady to clench honour and respect in the society. Self-help is the best help. Amidst the raising atrocities against women, I firmly believe that Indian Women have the tenacity to uphold their honour and dignity.