Are we evolved enough to change our mindsets?
Whenever I hear someone mention the “Priyadarshini Mattoo case”, something irks me. Why is that we always prefer to name a case, especially rape cases, after the names of hapless victims? Why can it not be branded and publicized as the Santosh Singh’s trial/case or something like that? After all, it is the accused/culprit (though it needs to be ‘proved’ as such in this particular case) who needs to scorned at, who needs to be humiliated. And it is the offender again against whom we need to caution the society. He is the one about whom people should be enquiring for he is the potential threat. The victim is no more and her family has already suffered much…why scandalize the matter then by succumbing to the media ruse and flashing the identity of the victim and protecting that of the accused?
Think about it and you would realize how we tend to fall prey to this strange, insensitive and unjust practice popularized by the media. How many of us even remember the names of the culprits behind the Bhanwari Devi rape case, Dr Aruna Shanbaug’s rape case, Jessica Lall murder, Naina Sahni murder etc etc?? Clueless na…
Think…and if my point makes even a wee bit of sense, try being a harbinger of change.
On a lighter note, let me take this opportunity to inform you that those who want justice for Priyadarshini can have their say by visiting her blog: http://www.ourpriyadarshini.org/blog/. Alternatively, you may look at the “Justice for Priyadarshini” button on this blog, click on it and follow the directions. You are required to sign an online petition. And wait before you give me that “Oh not that!”look…
Often do I used to wonder whether signing online petitions etc would result in something positive and fruitful at all, whether it would turn the wheels of justice…I was cynical and apprehensive. But then, it dawned upon me that SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE…and the karmic mantra is as simple as that! Now, whenever those doubts resurface I remind myself of two things:
1) this, (that is, to support a genuine cause) is the least that we can do; busy as we are with our hectic routines and selfish businesses of life. Somehow, to me, it gives tremendous relief just to be a part of something good, no matter the part you play is miniscule and measly.
2) yes, nothing might result from it...but something may. So, lets hang on to that thread of hope and keep the faith.
3 comments:
Dear Vivek
Thanks for the feedback on “Are we evolved enough to change our mindsets”.
As I often say, everyone is entitled to hold a view…to have a standpoint. Our views on certain issues clearly differ, which is not a problem.
I sincerely believe that we have miles to go before we reach that stage of intellectual evolution which I indicated.
True, that some progress has been made, but that has been strictly in terms of coverage. The media network has surely grown by leaps and bounds and almost everything, whether worth making news or not, hits the stands as ‘Breaking News’ these days. However, when it comes to sincere, responsible and sensible reporting, the media clearly has not come up to the level it should have. In fact, it would not be an exaggeration to say that media today revels in glamour, scandals, sting operations, tragedies—
real or concocted. Under the ostensible garb of educating the masses, instead of acting as a conduit or medium of putting forth their viewpoint, it ends up acting as major influencing factor in shaping their thoughts. Result: warped understanding of facts and of course insensitivity towards humanitarian aspects. If today someone is raped and the public is only (or more) interested in knowing all the lurid details of the episode, if the masses are more curious to know the identity of the hapless victim than knowing about the perpetrator of the crime…then, in my opinion, and you may choose to differ, it is the media that is largely to be held responsible.
My appeal in the concerned article is to the masses…the media may continue do what it is best at…after all it also has its bread and butter issues; but, it is up to us not to fall prey to its stunts. Much damage has already been done and it might sound like reinventing the wheel, but a change in mindsets is definitely required. We must resuscitate that comatose humane aspect of our being…somehow. An effort here and a push there and we would, I am convinced, get a more sensitive society.
“The present sealing and demolition issue in Delhi is a flagrant illustration. This fiasco illustratively explains that the legislature and the judiciary have failed to enforce the rule of law in time. Masses have violated the law of land only under the ardent supervision of the law makers and enforcers.”
You have blamed the Legislature and the Judiciary for the pathetic situation…I would like to differ here. We have the best set of laws…so, the Legislature is doing its job. Having heard a few delegates from Srilanka, Nepal, Pakistan, China etc etc in a couple of seminars, I can surely say that we have a passable Judiciary, which is held from performing optimally due to the immense workload. The problem lies in the implementation of laws…the domain of the Executive, sadly plagued by a virulent breed—the bureaucrat.
Lastly, yes, it makes me happy to read that you have kept that flame of hope alive. Better times would come, if we take note and act now.
Honorable teacher,
I shall first and foremost thank you for pasting the remaining notes on the corporate theory.
I shall also submit my feedback on whether we have evolved enough to change our mindsets?
In my opinion, we have evolved much more, than mere being capable enough as to change our mindsets. The present technological era has ushered an unprecedented communication revolution. That has far more capability of even setting up new social system in no time vis-à-vis earlier times when changing the mindsets took decades. I have mentioned communication revolution because you have criticized media.
In my opinion, media is the least responsible for popularizing the alleged insensitive and unjust practice. The matter of fact is that the judicial mechanism and the legislature deserve to be grossly blamed. They render a feeling that our country failed to break free from the shackles of servitude or perhaps failed to provide self governance.
The present sealing and demolition issue in Delhi is a flagrant illustration. This fiasco illustratively explains that the legislature and the judiciary have failed to enforce the rule of law in time. Masses have violated the law of land only under the ardent supervision of the law makers and enforcers.
The Priya Darshini Mattoo or Jessica Lal is making rounds because our system has failed to rise to the expectation of today’s generation. If time bound justice could have been rendered in an apparent manner, public and media both would have been engrossed with some other issues.
If you still consider that it’s the media that’s to be blamed. Then, why hadn’t a law been formulated to enforce a code of conduct on media in the largest interest of public?
I have written this feedback not in capacity of being a cynic but as an optimist. I believe that the present scenario will pressurize the present system to make timely and adequate up gradations. That will ensure that our country is governed by legislature and judiciary that always make timely amends as to enforce the rule of law and stays ahead of times.
Dear Madam,
First of all thanks on posting remaining Notes on Jurisprudence.
First and foremost, Case was published by the Media and Media have its own terminology. As per my understanding If any body wants sympathy from general public, you have to mention the name of the victim and not the name of person who had committed crime.
Further with respect to court proceeding it is Santosh Kumar Vs Union of india etc.
Regards
Vishnu
Post a Comment