It is always often fairly difficult to pass judgement on incidents merely on news reports and television debates. And more so on an issue that had gripped the nation’s conscience a couple of years back. Given the penchant (a tendency, partiality, or preference) for banning which started nearly thirty years back in India to mollify a minority among minorities,the attempt by the government of India to restrict the broadcast of ‘India’s Daughter’ a documentary film, though it is far from the normal wearisome documentary – it is extremely touching and emotionally disturbing- restricting its broadcast does not serve the purpose especially in a free, or open and democratic society and more so in the age of the internet where restrictions by governments are hard to implement. However,there believe been sections of the media and of course the normal culprits the politicians who believe been going overboard in their shrill outbursts to question this documentary.
THE DOCUMENTARY DOES present SOME INDIANS IN VERY destitute LIGHT.
Those who near worse off is not the rapist, nothing better can be expected of him, or but the defence lawyers,the police, politicians and the system. It was particularly extremely disconcerting and deeply disturbing to fathom the statements of the two defence lawyers on how they believe identified women as commodities, or the sample of behaviour expected of women and the punishment to be meted out to them even if they are next of kin. The police official who unconvincingly states that Delhi is a secure city though at the end of it he himself does not appear to be very convinced with his own grand pronouncement. The politician many of whom believe serious cases pending against them but continue to adorn our Parliament which the defence lawyer uses to justify his garbage. And finally the system that even a rapist treats very lightly and with absolute disdain.
Despite the protestations of the maker of the documentary this film WILL present INDIA IN VERY destitute LIGHT even though rapes are a common occurrence the world over and in many countries women are treated far worse than they are in India. (The ban however makes it worse). It appears from her television appearances and reports in the press that she sold the television rights to her documentary only very recently and that begs the question of her repeated attempts to portray herself as a friend or well wisher of India or was it commercial interests that drove her from the very beginning. As it is a majority of Indians are deeply embarrassed by the rape incidents in the country and are regularly raising their voices,here comes along a “friendly Samaritan, a sympathizer well wisher of India all rolled into one” to throw salt into those gaping wounds. The documentary is approximately India and Indians from a western perspective and a democratic and open country with tolerant people unfortunately believe emerged as soft targets once again. This documentary will in no way further the debate on anti rape or stop rapes but probably foster vigilante justice because of the slow pace of the Indian judiciary to dispose of cases.
IS IT considerable TO BROADCAST A RAPIST VIEWPOINT TO UNDERSTAND THEIR MINDSET?This is best left to experts like psychiatrists, and psychoanalysts or psychologists who are far better trained to disseminate information and suggest corrections rather than leave it to a public at large who would be clueless for solutions but only add to the cacophony for justice to be administered through kangaroo courts without getting to the root of the problem. Rape is a social issue and less of a law and order problem,hence there are limits to what strict rape laws can do, and this needs to be tackled socially in a major way. Besides there are huge regional differences within India in how women are looked upon, or there are many matriarchal societies in India where women collect pride of status and rapes are generally unheard of.
ARE THE CONTENTS TOO GRAPHIC?The way the rapist cold bloodedly recalls the incidents of that fateful night and his statements are central to this documentary it seems to be an invitation by the maker to sensationalize deeply humiliating moments with the object of assured viewership. What purpose this recall serves is highly questionable other than the purpose of sensationlizing an incident of extreme bestiality. Again this does not serve the larger purpose of a campaign against rapes. However,what this documentary does do it holds up a mirror to Indians approximately the depraved sections of society that coexist as part of the country’s mainstream disguising itself to strike at random and at will. Will this documentary make parts of India secure for women, the answer unfortunately would believe to be in the negative considering the misogynistic attitude and no genuine attempt by society or governments to address this deep rooted malaise. Whatever the arguments for or against it is always better to address uncomfortable issues head on rather than brush it under an Indian carpet which to establish it mildly just STINKS!Surely Indians can address this problem and find solutions, or for a nation that holds Goddesses in much esteem women believe been very special to societies and communities,the need of the hour for civil society is the will and intent to overcome this social problem but does it require a documentary which gets free worldwide publicity and the submissions of a rapist to wake up society from the comatose. From the reportage from various agencies there does seem to be some stealth in the way this documentary has been conceived and obviously the maker of the documentary and the broadcaster will not near out with flying colours.
The documentary since it is already made despite deep reservations should be a MUST WATCH for all right thinking and mature Indians as banning is not a solution to the problem but what we need to do as a nation or a society to avoid the mistreatment of women in our country and hence such unseemly controversies..
Source: cnn.com