On Gulf News Facebook page readers were asked: ‘With new governance in India, do you expect to see better protection of women’s rights and serving of justice in crimes against women?’ Most readers agreed that actions must be taken to change the mindset of the population.
More aid for victims
I do expect the current government to take stern action against offenders and formulate policies and laws for better protection of women’s rights. But, at the same time, laws on paper give little protection if they are not enforced effectively. The incompetence of respective state governments and their apathy towards women’s rights, most notably rape cases, continue to make their way into the front pages of Indian newspapers on a regular basis. Two things need to stop: the police are mentality blaming the victim; and they are not registering complaints for the crimes committed. The new government should focus more on encouraging the rape victims to step forward and report the crimes by providing full protection and swift justice to the victim.
From Mr Aravind Vijaya Kumar
Dubai
New rules needed
Nothing has changed and nothing would change if the same prime minister continues to be in power. Change the rules first, make amendments and maybe then the people will fear your rules and their minds would change.
From Ms Mirza Wardah Beg
Sharjah
Archaic criminal law
India has a very firm constitution for freedom of expression and rights for women. The government can’t take away these rights, however the reality is that the laws are archaic in regards to criminal law and its implementation by the law enforcement agency. Proper social change in grass roots level is also needed.
From Mr Tom Thounaojam
UAE
Don’t expect change
Governance and enforcement go hand-in-hand. When the people see both, maybe better protection will be viable. Until then, don’t expect to see change until people change themselves.
From Ms Aishah Schwartz
UAE
Changing minds
People’s nature needs to be changed. Changing governments does not solve the problem. The psychology of people towards women is important.
From Mr Manu Sharma
Dubai
Not safe
This will never stop because the Bollywood movies already destroyed Indian culture. There are no single women that are safe in India.
From Mr Fraz Khan
UAE
They don’t bother
Nothing will happen for sure. Governments do not bother with this.
From Ms Luciana Di Floriano
UAE
Initiate change
With the new government now in place, naturally the people of India look towards change.
The fast track court setup after the humiliating incident of year before last, hasn’t changed much for any justice to be served.
The judicial system itself is in shambles with corruption, lack of educated lawmakers and law keepers being the core of an ever growing transition into a sort of ignorance and anarchy.
Women continue to be viewed as objects and repressed with very few rights, especially in rural areas where no governance applies and they are subject to caste, race and other unspeakable violations that often result in death.
The new leadership needs to initiate change at every level to protect every woman’s right to education, thought, religion and, most importantly, the right to feel safe in her own country.
Stringent laws are needed to convict and punish offenders. We hope to see the entire legal system overhauled to ensure that no crime against any woman in India goes unpunished.
From Mr Gregory Gomes
UAE
Not much hope
It is doubtful and remains to be seen whether the new Indian government, that garnered mandate to rule on a corporate agenda, will be able to douse the atrocities against women. It is an inherent, instilled and undying feudal and caste system in India that hinges on male dominance. The criminal profiles of many members of the new government would not be an option to expect a proactive action from the government to weed out the rampant crime in the society. The party which makes the new government has also been ruling many states for decades and have already failed to eradicate such crimes. In the realm of possibilities, I would not say there is much hope to see a respite from the current situation.
From Mr Salim Panthodi
Abu Dhabi
Government action necessary
I think that it 100 per cent has to do with the government. If the government imposes better laws and governance and becomes stricter in punishing these criminals, then it will make a difference. Today, many know that a single court case can take years and years before it reaches the final verdict. People are misusing the loopholes and drawbacks in the law and manipulating the current system.
From Mr Yasir Arafat Siddiqui
UAE
A better tomorrow
This is the plight of women in India. Especially in rural areas where they don’t have toilet facilities, thus they have to step out in the night to nearby fields to relieve themselves. This leaves them vulnerable to predators that threaten their safety.
As the new government is sworn in, more than a half dozen women ministers will be as well. I believe the new government will look after the education, awareness, social stigma and safety of women and crimes against women and children in whole country at a larger scale. Looking forward to a better tomorrow that Indian women will be in better position in very near future.
From Mr Mohan Kumar
UAE
Not expecting action
How can you expect a killer not to kill, or a rapist not to rape? More than 4000 Muslim women were raped when they burnt 20,000 Muslims in Gujrat. Modi was a chief minister at that time and he didn’t take any action.
From Mr Faizan Sheikh
Dubai
It should be zero tolerance for crimes against women. They should educate their men to respect women. They should teach all men the importance of controlling their sexual desires and they should impose tough punishments to those who will violate the law. I feel so much for the poor victims of such crimes, these poor, innocent women.
From Ms Emz Robles Gonzales
UAE
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