Letter by an Indian Girl.....

To Whomsoever It May Concern

Well first and foremost, by my salutations you must have very well understood that I am at a total loss as to whom to address my letter to.... And through this letter my anguish or should I say my fears or my questions... !!

I was born in a country which claims to be the largest democracy in the world, a country which took pride in the freedom of expression, a country which is driven by its young population and a country which worshiped its women in form of goddesses.  

 I grew up believing that in my country every individual has the right to live with dignity, right to move out freely, anywhere anytime with a sense of security, right to demand justice, right to protest against something which is wrong and the right to believe that if something indeed goes wrong the laws of my country will set it right. I grew up believing that  I am no less than anyone. I was made to believe that I deserve an equal right to lead an independent life, to go out as and when I like, to enjoy my life like any of my male counterparts.

 But by the events that have unfolded in the past week, my beliefs stand severely dented. The scenes that have spilled out right in the heart of the nation, in the national capital,   I doubt is it the same nation I was born.

 My parents never differentiated against me for being girl, then why does my nation?? I was given the freedom to chose the field I like, work in the organisation I want, but my nation does not guarantee me that. I can not work in late shifts because I am afraid to step out at night, I am afraid to walk down to my nearby grocery store alone, I am afraid to board public transport. I feel unsafe even in the presence of police personnel, I in fact feel miserable being a girl.

And as if the horrendous and ghastly rape case was not enough to reflect the inability of our authorities to ensure safety of its women, the police resorted to lathicharge and firing of teargas shells on the peaceful protesters. Is this the way to exercise authority, is this the way to follow the call of duty, is this way to treat women, children and the elderly. And what are these protesters demanding? Just their rights !! Just answers from the people they have voted to power !! Just the sense of security that they can walk freely on the roads !! Just the sense of belonging that this is indeed their nation and that they are no outsiders who are to live with a constant fear.  

Why is it that the orders that need to be passed are never passed, the instructions that are to be followed are never followed, the laws that need to be implemented are never implemented?? Why is it that crores are spent and a fleet of policeman deployed to protect the perpetrator of 26/11 but there is no one to protect the general public, the women of this country?? Why is it that the politicians and so called youth icons visit the home of common man and give long speeches at the time of elections but no one dares to step out of their mansions when the youth demands an answer right at their door step??  

Is it that difficult to frame tougher laws, to implement the laws, to ensure that duties are performed with diligence, to ensure safety of citizens.?? We take pride in our judicial system, we say that it ensures fair hearing rights to all parties, but why don't we see how this very judicial system is tampered with to deny justice. Why when the perpetrators of the heinous crime have accepted their involvement, is the case dragged for years and eventually culprits are left scott free? Why can't the statements recorded in police stations be recorded and made as the basis of trial, why are they given a chance to tamper with statements over and over again??

 Why cant these animals be punished exemplary to instill a sense of fear and prevent repetition of such heinous acts? Why is it that it is we who live with fear and those who should be frightened to commit such crime roam freely?? Why is it that instead of guaranteeing deliverance of justice, the authorities are inciting the youth by exercising its muscle power?? Why don't they understand the fact if the youth of this country has taken to streets to demand their rights, such use of force against them will only worsen the scenario. It is the youth which builds or breaks the country and if the youth is angry the outcome is only going to be fatal !!

Yours Truly

An Indian Girl