Skip to main content

No civil society or activists came to Unnao girl's rescue: Her story 'didn't suit' them

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*
The Unnao story is the failure of the Indian system and deep-rooted corruption and nepotism inside it. The girl was fighting a lone battle over a year, especially after she accused Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Kuldip Singh Sengar of raping her. The party did not bothered to take any action against Sanger. And it is equally surprising that, in the city of Unnao, nothing appears to have happened.
In fact, the tragedy was our focus, but nobody seemed to find out as to why Unnao has been so silent; it is a sad commentary on our poor sensibilities about her. Yet, the fact is, she has come out as a brave girl and must be saluted for persisting her case. And this alone has become her biggest crime.
Her father was tortured in police custody and died. Her uncles and aunts have also met with the same fate. She is now battling for her life in a hospital in Lucknow. The neta who should have been facing rape charges and behind the bars a year ago has been let loose by the state, and this is surely not possible without enjoying the protection and patronage of the highest order.
The neta, who has been "suspended", has remained in BJP, a party which had shouted from rooftops, with its supporters virtually bringing India to a standstill during the Nirbhaya case. They are shamelessly silent today. The women leaders, who were so quick on Azam Khan's abominable statement for which he tendered his apology, have sealed their lips. Does this girl not belong to India? Does she not have a right to live life with dignity?
Unnao BJP MLA
I know living a life of dignity for her will be very difficult, because as a nation and a society we are hypocrites. She is fighting it out despite all odds against her. No civil society, no activists came to her rescue, perhaps because her story was “not suitable” to them. However, the incident two days back, in which she and her family were attacked in a planned manner, is an eye opener.
Thugs, masquerading as politicians, are hatching conspiracies. This is the chilling example of what our netas can do to eliminate you if you come in their way. The whole thing looks like a thriller from some Bollywood film.
Who can trust the police, which may have been provided to you for your security? Reports are coming in that the security given to this brave girl actually informed the goons of the MLA, and this helped him planned the attack meticulously.
Where are we heading to? We have not heard much from any of the top leaders of BJP. They would surely rubbish the dastardly attack as any a story concocted to embarrass the government, but they wouldn’t answer as to why this MLA remained in the party for so long, why he was not arrested earlier and why the case has not been expedited.
And why have people in Unnao and its neighouring villages failed to stand up for a girl who is seeking justice? Why have we become so dumb? Will the Rajput Mahasabhas and Karni Senas stand up and speak for the cause of women seeking justice from their own community, and against the neta who tried to kill her and her entire family?
---
*Human rights defender. Source: Author's FB timeline

Comments

Meera Velayudhan said…

Not true

TRENDING

Tyre cartel's monopoly: Farmers' groups seek legal fight for better price for raw rubber

By Our Representative  The All India Kisan Sabha and the Kerala Karshaka Sangham that represents the largest rubber producing state of Kerala along with rubber farmers have sought intervention against the monopoly tyre companies that have formed a cartel against the interests of consumers and farmers.  Vijoo Krishnan, AIKS General Secretary, Valsan Panoli, Kerala Karshaka Sangham General Secretary, and four farmers representing different rubber growing regions of Kerala have filed an intervention application in the Supreme Court.

Modi win may force Pak to put Kashmir on backburner, resume trade ties with India

By Salman Rafi Sheikh*  When Narendra Modi returned to power for a second term in India with a landslide victory in 2019, his government acted swiftly. Just months after the election, the Modi government abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution of India. In doing so, it stripped the special constitutional status conferred on Jammu and Kashmir, India’s only Muslim-majority state, and downgraded its status from a state with its own elected assembly to a union territory administered by the central government in Delhi. 

'Assault on civic, academic freedom, right to dissent': TISS PhD student's suspension

By Our Representative  The Mumbai-based civil rights group All India Secular Forum (AISF) has said that the suspension of Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) PhD student Ramadas Prini Sivanandan (30) for two years for allegedly indulging in activities which were "not in the interest of the nation" is meant to send out the message that students and educational institutes will be targeted if they don’t align with the agenda and ideology of the ruling regime.  TISS in a notice served to Ramadas has cited that his role in screening the documentary 'Ram Ke Naam' on January 26 as a "mark of dishonour and protest" against the Ram Mandir idol consecration in Ayodhya.  Another incident cited in the notice was Ramadas’ participation in the protest against unfair government policies in Delhi under the banner of the Progressive Students' Forum (PSF)-TISS. TISS alleges the institute's name was "misused", which wrongfully created an impression that

A Hindu alternative to Valentine's Day? 'Shiv-Parvati was first love marriage in Universe'

By Rajiv Shah*   The other day, I was searching on Google a quote on Maha Shivratri which I wanted to send to someone, a confirmed Shiv Bhakt, quite close to me -- with an underlying message to act positively instead of being negative. On top of the search, I chanced upon an article in, imagine!, a Nashik Corporation site which offered me something very unusual. 

Magnetic, stunning, Protima Bedi 'exposed' malice of sexual repression in society

By Harsh Thakor*  Protima Bedi was born to a baniya businessman and a Bengali mother as Protima Gupta in Delhi in 1949. Her father was a small-time trader, who was thrown out of his family for marrying a dark Bengali women. The theme of her early life was to rebel against traditional bondage. It was extraordinary how Protima underwent a metamorphosis from a conventional convent-educated girl into a freak. On October 12th was her 75th birthday; earlier this year, on August 18th it was her 25th death anniversary.

Why it's only Modi ki guarantee, not BJP's, and how Varanasi has seen it up-close

"Development" along Ganga By Rosamma Thomas*  I was in Varanasi in this April, days before polling began for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. There are huge billboards advertising the Member of Parliament from Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The only image on all these large hoardings is of the PM, against a saffron background. It is as if the very person of Modi is what his party wishes to showcase.

Joblessness, saffronisation, corporatisation of education: BJP 'squarely responsible'

Counterview Desk  In an open appeal to youth and students across India, several student and youth organizations from across India have said that the ruling party is squarely accountable for the issues concerning the students and the youth, including expensive education and extensive joblessness.

Following the 3000-year old Pharaoh legacy? Poll-eve Surya tilak on Ram Lalla statue

By Sukla Sen  Located at a site called Abu Simbel in Nubia, Upper Egypt, the eponymous rock temples were created in 1244 BCE, under the orders of Pharaoh Ramesses II (1303-1213 BC)... Ramesses II was fond of showcasing his achievements. It was this desire to brag about his victory that led to the planning and eventual construction of the temples (interestingly, historians say that the Battle of Qadesh actually ended in a draw based on the depicted story -- not quite the definitive victory Ramesses II was making it out to be).

India's "welcome" proposal to impose sin tax on aerated drinks is part of to fight growing sugar consumption

By Amit Srivastava* A proposal to tax sugar sweetened beverages like tobacco in India has been welcomed by public health advocates. The proposal to increase sin taxes on aerated drinks is part of the recommendations made by India’s Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subramanian on the upcoming Goods and Services Tax (GST) bill in the parliament of India.

Poll promises: Political parties 'playing down' need to retrieve and restore adivasi land

By Palla Trinadha Rao*  The Scheduled Tribes population of 10.43 crore constitutes 8.6% of the population in the country inhabiting 26 States and 6 Union Territories. Parliament elections along with Assembly elections in some states have been notified this year.