HATS OFF TO ‘ONE BILLION RISING’

I often wonder, if there were no pro-active media and social network sites what would have been the outcome of the (infamous) the brutal gang - rape of a 23 year old physiotherapy student by a gang of six persons on a running bus in capital which we call New Delhi. The budget session of the parliament was going on with the members of the ruling UPA alliance and the Opposition engaging in a political jamboree, to be more apt political circuses as usual. Even before the political leaders stealing the show, infuriated, agitated Delhites, flocked the streets of Delhi demanding harsh punishment be meted out to the six thugs involved in the tragic episode. Men, women, youth, students and even children raised their angry protestations at the top of their voices. The entire Delhites came out voluntarily irrespective of any caste, creed or religion and demanded the immediate arrest and incarceration of the gang of six. With the rulers in the corridors of power and other sundry politicians ventured to take up the issue but the entire politicians had to face the wrath of the protesting Delhites. They booed and jeered at the leaders forcing them to depart from the scene.

With each day passing by, our peoples’ faith in politicians is quickly dwindling. Each dawn brings with the reports of scams and scandals – no political party an exception – indulged in by the so-called law makers, so-called protectors of our coveted democratic traditions, values and ethics. The masses losing faith in the political party leaders and even in our cherished democracy and getting cynical is a sad commentary of the state of affairs prevailing in our country.

First came Anna Hazaare with his India Against Corruption movement, then appeared the ‘Godman’ Ramdev demanding immediate confiscation of crores of rupee of money allegedly stashed abroad by the Indian VVIPs including politicians and industrialists and the underworld. Ramdev and Hazaare had to retreat midway pushing the citizens into despair and disillusionment.

Delhi, since  decades are not at all safe for women, incidents of rape and murder breaking out everyday with politicians and law and order machinery allegedly caring two hoots towards the occasional protests and agitations by the disillusioned citizens.  With their patience touching their nadir they turned fretting and fuming volcanoes since years.

The volcanoes broke out one day which was inevitable with reports of the heinous crime of the gang- rape flashing through electronic, print media and social networking sites. The red hot lava of their anger and fury shook the ones who are in the saddle and frightened them and were forced to initiate immediate measures to put an end to the ongoing criminal activities of the anti-social elements who are a minority in any society.

The rulers after facing the heat of the entire Delhites and citizens across the nation are a shaken lot and they will continue to shake with fear and apprehension and are forced to shed complacency. Hats off to those who took part in the One Billion Rising across the world.