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The Delhi gang rape case may be one of the most tragic and horrific incidents to hit India this year. However, this case is not an isolated event. There are several other such horrific rape cases prior to this event and even after it not just in India, but globally!
It is true that “Amanat” did not want to become a martyr – she simply wanted a normal life – but it is hoped that this is a wake up call to India that rape is not a joke. It is a crime. A very heinous crime. The amount of anger all women (including me) are feeling around the globe is immense regarding this issue. Rapists should not be let off easily and there needs to be stricter punishment – even capital punishment – against such offenders (trying to keep this article PG, otherwise there are other words that come to mind first!).
Bollywood too has been tweeting regarding this case. I have their reactions and tweets below. All boys must be taught at a young age to teach women with respect. As I said in my last article, change has to occur on both a microscopic and macroscopic level. While Oberoi says mothers should teach their sons, I personally think it is the fathers who need to set a better example. They need to display respect for their wives and women. Change begins at home.
- Vivek Oberoi: “Every mother should teach her son to respect every girl. That is where it (the change) will start. If he says something (wrong) about a girl, then she should slap him. Then we will learn. I think women can protect women in the future, the greatest service by instilling in their children, brothers and husbands, the right values for women. Respect for women is not an option, it is a necessity.”
- Farhan Akthar: “Men. Change your mindset. Change your fathers mindset. Change your sons mindset. The collective change will create a healthier society.”
- Priyanka Chopra: “It’s a heinous crime. Culprits should be given stringent punishment. As an Indian I feel ashamed of it. I’m in full support of peaceful protests and I think this will make a difference. It’s time for all of us to come together and make a change and not just forget about it in a few days.”
- Shabana Azmi: “And SHE PASSES AWAY in Singapore. RIP. Our impotence stares us in the face. May SHE become the wake-up call our country needs. We must soul search. Female foeticide; inequal access to nutrition, education, health; no decision making powers; dowry demands; rapes rampant. INDIA WAKE UP”
- Abhishek Bachchan: “I have always been a very proud Indian. Today, we should ALL be ashamed. Will it always take an innocents death for a nation to awake? This is not the country I grew up in as a child, this is not the country I want my daughter to know whilst she grows up!”
- Shahrukh Khan: “I am so sorry that I am a part of this society and culture”, “I am so sorry that I am a man”, “(1) We couldn’t save you but what a big voice you have, you brave little girl. That voice is telling us that rape is not an aberration, not a mistake,” “(2) Rape embodies sexuality as our culture and society has defined it. I am so sorry that I am a part of this society and culture.”, “(3) I am so sorry that I am a man. I promise I will fight with your voice. I will respect women so that I gain my daughter’s [Suhana, 12] respect.”
- Shekar Kapur: “Her greatest betrayal is that we will forget. Political systems’ greatest hope is we will forget. Our only redemption is if we do not forget.”
- Mahesh Bhatt: “Shut all temples where you pretend to worship the female form. Cry India! Your hands are drenched with the blood of your own daughters.”
- Karan Johar: “RIP to a brave girl who fought in a weak and paralysed country.. Shame on all of us.”
- Madhur Bhandarkar: “RIP Damini, today is a dark day in our democracy. We should pledge not to let dust settle on this fight till the end.”
- Shreya Ghoshal: “Women are d most disrespected in our country. N it’s such a deep rooted issue. It’s in our culture for d sons to display power n dominance.”
- Kunal Kohli: “Like the unknown solider at india gate we need to have a tribute for all the unknown rape victims,to remind us of our society’s failings”
- Ritesh Deshmukh: “Just heard the braveheart girl is no more. True fighter. Sad it takes a tragedy for us to wake up. Prayers with the family.”
- Amitabh Bachchan: ” ‘Amanat’, ‘Damini’ just a name now .. her body has passed away, but her soul shall shall forever stir our hearts !!!”
