It must be difficult being women, because it involves
dealing with men.
Men, who the self-appointed judges of morality think are
driven to criminal acts like rape, by skimpily dressed mannequins. Men, who get
corrupted, by watching a silly act on Comedy Central , which again involves
(guess what) mannequins.
The politicians of India took some much necessary actions
last week, to reduce crimes committed against women. A corporator from Mumbai,
got a resolution passed, which banned the public display of mannequins wearing
lingerie. She was overtaken by an overzealous Information and Broadcasting
Ministry(I&B), which banned Comedy Central for 10 day for showing offensive
acts on the television.
I have doubts regarding both the actions. The resolution
against mannequins says, that they cannot be displayed in public, but in
private(read inside the shops). In effect, the perverts can get their curiosity
amplified by just going inside the shops, and then committing crimes coming out
of it. So much for the quick thinking of the BMC, that I now expect the crime
rates to suddenly come down in Mumbai, thanks to the momentous decision.
On the Comedy Central issue, I must say that this is a David
vs. Goliath fight. If anything should be controlled, it is the depiction of
women in the Bollywood. But, the I&B would not take on the Bollywood,
because it knows, that it is the underdog in the fight. I agree that the jokes
were in bad taste, but banning it is an over-reaction to the issue.
The often touted reason these politicians give, to justify
such bizarre actions include, protection of the fine sensibilities of the
‘Mothers and Sisters’ of India. Why can they just say Women? And why according
to them are all women clubbed in the ‘Mothers/Sister’ category? Perhaps, it is very difficult for these
people to understand, that Women have a life to live, which does not get
affected by such non-issues.
Last year, BMC sanctioned Rs.75 lakhs for construction of
Women’s only public toilets in Mumbai, and all the funds were left unutilized.
Can our leaders, who seem to be so worried about a serious issue, not get the
point, that Women are vulnerable to sexual attacks, when they are relieving
themselves in public, in the absence of basic amenities?
The mannequins have nothing to do with the criminal acts
beast perpetrate against women. It is the belief that these criminals have,
that nothing will ever happen to them, which gives them the confidence to
commit such acts. The politicians have debated a lot about the quantity of
punishments that should be meted out for crimes of sexual nature. But they must
understand, it is not the quantity, but the certainty of punishments, that will
act as a deterrent to the delinquents.
The mannequins do not have an IQ. I hope the political
classes act in a way that show they do.
