Old anger, new fire

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Another brutal rape has triggered a fresh wave of protests in the capital. Students and activists have taken to the streets again — raising slogans, displaying placards, marching, lighting candles, praying for the five-year-old victim.
For many, it’s a continuation of the protest they participated in after the horrifying gangrape on December 16. They raised their voices then, they are raising their voices now, but there is also a note of bitterness and hopelessness — they are hurt and angry that their protests didn’t result in making a difference, and they wonder if their protests will prove effective this time around.
Some of these protestors haven’t returned to their regular lives since December 16. For the last four months, they have been holding marches and demonstrations, demanding justice for all victims of rape and sexual assault.
“What are we supposed to do? In the last four months, we have done everything that we possibly could. From performing nukkad natak at various places in order to spread awareness about the safety of women to demanding implementation of proper laws, but rapes keep happening. It seems there’s nothing that can stop the rapists. And sadly, there’s been no visible change in the system,” says Neha Kaushal, a college student who has been a part of the protest all along.
The anger about the unabated cases of rape is now also accompanied by a feeling of despair at none of the protests proving effective and productive. Rohit Chahal, state secretary, ABVP Delhi, who has been actively organising and participating in the protests since the last few months, says, “Ho to kuchh bhi nahi raha hai. Kuchh badal nahi raha hai. But we can’t afford to keep quiet. We have to raise our voice to change the situation. The biggest change will come when the law is implemented in the correct way. Rapists need to be punished strictly in order to scare and deter people with sick mindset,” he says.
However, there are also those who are hopeful and feel the biggest change that has come about is the mass uprising the country has witnessed.
“Never in the history of India have such large protests been held for gender sensitisation and safety of women. It may be taking time but the large number of people coming out on the streets from various strata of society attest that change is on its way,” says Prerna, member of All India Students’ Association and a faculty at Miranda House.
Similar is the view of Ashraf Patel, convener of Commutiny — the youth collective, who thinks that youngsters really need to work towards the cause to bring in change. “There are many questions to be raised. One can’t just go protest and assume that things will change. One has to bring about change by being involved in various activities capable of changing the mindset. The transformation will start when one can effect individual changes and changes in the society around them among family, friends and rest of the world,” she says.
“The change will begin by stopping women from objectifying themselves and stopping others from doing the same. These are small actions that will collectively lead to bigger transformations,” concludes Ashraf.