Violence to protest against Violence?

As the public outrage against the brutal gangrape of the 23 year old continues, we have all seen one common mode of protest come to the fore - the so called "candlelight vigils" or "candlelight marches".

However, unlike the very nature of this mode of protest, the recent candlelight marches have turned violent. We see the news of water cannons, tear gas and lathicharges during these protests. We hear the statistics of civilians and police personnel injured, even 1 casualty in the case of police officer Tomar. But, the instant reaction is to hold the police responsible; without giving a thought as to why would police resort to such measures unnecessarily. There have been protests earlier, why didn't the police then use such measures in all protests, deterring the people in a democracy from exercising their right to freedom of speech. Or is it the case that this time over we are doing something wrong and the police is forced to resort to such extreme measures?

Don't get me wrong, I am not supporting the police force in Delhi or anywhere in India, for that matter. The law and order situation is all time worse than ever before. But I also feel that this time round, we are doing it all wrong. To protest against the pathetic law and order conditions, we are taking law in our hands. To protest against violence against women and children, we are becoming violent. We are not respecting the fact that peaceful but determined and patient protests get more things done. Only we need to be persistent and consistent. That is the nature of "candlelight marches". The candles are supposed to symbolize the awakening and knowledge and not anguish, even if it is rightly justified. Also, I am slightly curious as to why most protests which turn violent have the name of Baba Ramdev associated with them somehow.

Also, I think that these "candlelight marches" are becoming more of a fad instead of people understanding their real essence. I recently attended one such protest organized by a RWA, and was disheartened to see that the people around me were more interested in getting their pictures clicked and holding the best looking banner / placard. Slowly, the protest turned anti-Congress and was lambasting Sonia Gandhi and Dr. Manmohan Singh. Now, I am not a Congress supporter, but I think that making insinuations against 2 people is outrageous when we know that it's the society at large which needs to change.

Maybe we need to think this over...

We want justice!!

Hang them! Kill them! Lynch them! Whatever you do, justice would still not be served.

As if rape was not enough to ruin the life of a 23-year old medical student who was gang raped by 7 inebriated monsters on the busy streets of South Delhi; the unnerving, hateful and demonic brutality of the heinous act has left her no hope of normality ever again. Even thinking about the whole episode sends a chill down everyone's spine and to think of it, the poor unsuspecting girl actually lived through the horror.

Is it wrong to silently pray to God to take her in his arms; to relieve her of the pain and suffering; to take away the constant reminder of a normal life she could have had but is never going to have? Is it harsh of my heart to hope that we don't have another Aruna Shaunbaug in India? When the furore dies down and the accused people's trial slowly crawls and creeps in the court, the supporters of the girl and the media will just get along with their daily lives but this girl will be living a half life - bedridden and constantly on intravenous fluids because she would never be able to eat normally. Would she not then lie in bed every day of her life reminded of the ghastly and heinous experience? Honestly, when I think about that, I feel Aruna is in a slightly better off position as she is devoid of any feeling and consciousness owing to being in a vegetative state. What lies ahead for this girl, IFF she survives, is far worse than that. Hence, a silent prayer leaves my heart for her.

Having said that I am very much in favour of the suggestion regarding fast track courts which passes judgement in such cases within 15 days of reporting - before anger subsides and before indifference sets in -  unlike the normal cases which could take years to reach judgment. For, I do believe that justice delayed is equivalent to justice denied.

Now, I am just hoping that the public outrage for this unfortunate girl gets a change not just in the legal system but also a cultural shift in the society which currently places the onus of safety on the females than the males. And why do we women accept that? Because who would know better than us that this is one place where there is no room for error.