Author: Seema Mustafa
Publication: Daily News & Analysis
Date: December 21, 2012
URL: http://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/report_to-expect-government-to-rein-in-rapes-is-too-much_1779953

Dear Soniaji,

This is my second letter to you, and since it already seems like old times, I hope you don’t mind the “Soniaji” as against that rather formal Mrs Sonia Gandhi? Of course, I did not hear from you, and must confess to being a little upset. But your letters to Delhi chief minister Mrs Sheila Dikshit and home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde have encouraged me. We are both letter writers. I write to you, and you write to others, quite a nice little pact really!

This rape is really terrible isn’t it? The young girl is fighting for her life in hospital, her friend who was beaten with iron rods is traumatized, and it was surprising that the CM did not rush to the hospital as soon as the news broke, and assure the victims’ families of help.

You went two days after the attack, and only when the citizens had come out on the roads reminding your government of its responsibilities. But don’t worry, Soniaji, I understand. You are not comfortable with all this ‘tear wiping’ business, and your managers did not fully understand the depth of common sentiments. But when the emotions did not subside, they realised it was imperative for you to at least meet the family, and shoot off those two famous letters demanding action from Dikshit and Shinde, just like all of us ordinary citizens.

That was a good move. The media loved it. Of course, there were some party poopers like the BJP’s Sushma Swaraj, who wondered why you were demanding action when you were in place really to take action. You must get a couple of more letters ready for these two. Dikshit has not taken your words on board and simply stood by while the cops used water cannons on students demonstrating outside her residence.

Sheila Dikshit says she has no control over the police, so she cannot do anything. But she has control over the transport ministry, right? She could ensure that bus operators follow the rules. Shinde says he will now speak to the Delhi police and see what can be done to make the national capital safer for women. What has he been doing all this while?

I know it is difficult for you in particular to understand what a young girl faces in Delhi. You have never had to walk the streets, or travel by buses, or live in little rooms in shady streets as that is all she can afford. The fear when she is stalked, the physical molestation she dreads when she boards a bus, and her helplessness as she knows that she cannot turn to the police.
Delhi has become the rape capital of India. Women are not safe on the streets, day or night.

There are many reasons for this, from the sociological to the political. But the foremost to my mind is bad, corrupt, callous and compromised policing. They just do not do their job. They are linked with the politicians, the goons, the transport mafia; they take bribes to look the other way. What is worse they do not register cases, lest these reflect in the statistics.

I know this must seem far-fetched to you, as you do not even have to call and the top cops are there willing to fetch and carry. And so your pre-occupation is with who should be Delhi police commissioner, than with ensuring that the officers pull up their socks and work off those stomachs.

Prime minister Manmohan Singh has done his usual disappearing act. Haven’t heard from Rahul baba at all. Hope he is well? Priyankaji is, of course, busy in your constituency. The government has had little to say on the issue, and suddenly all the Congress spokespersons have also disappeared.

The people are talking about capital punishment for rape; but where are the laws for booking eve-teasers and molesters? This heinous act is not even recognised by the police as a crime. But don’t worry, I am not even suggesting that your government should do anything about this; that would be too much to ask.

More when you next write to the minions in your government.
All the very best,