Introduction
Of
late one gets the feeling that sexual violence and offences against women and
children are on the rise. In the absence of reliable and objective historic
data, one cannot be too sure about the rate of increase of crimes, and crimes
of sexual nature in particular !!!!
The modern portrayal of the inferior status of women, in a caste-ridden
hierarchical society – A real modern intellectual burden (Ref.1)
Now
in this post-modern time, people will tend to think that, with the spread of
education and modern means of communication, ordinary citizens are well aware
of their rights and are capable of being aware of situations wherein they are
subjected to exploitation. The resistance to all forms of exploitation
perceived or otherwise, finds
expression in police complaints and other forms of protests, which competitive
journalism brings to the attention of
the nation. The net result is that the
consciousness of one who regularly keeps track of national affairs is bombarded
with frequent news of various crimes and violence stalking society, making
him/her wonder ,whether such incidents show an increasing trend. Since the
modern mind conditioned by Darwin’s
theory of evolution, considers that
humankind is progressing towards an ideal state,(Ref.2) it will quickly form the opinion that incidents of violence and injustice would have been the
same, if not more in the past. Further the modern mind rationalizes
that, the figures if any available from the past of crime figures and prison records , is
surely underreported or unreliable , because the people were not clear or aware about the right or wrongs happening
to them, in those ‘feudalistic ‘ period
under ‘patriarchal’ domination and further they didn’t have the required
courage and strength to protest and even
if they had protested, it was never recorded/heeded, by those in power. Such
protests are believed to have found expression only in folk-songs and similar
art-form of the underdogs. Even in
modern times, it is alleged that ,the atrocities against Dalits and other groups refused to get registered as FIR’s
in police stations or are under-reported in the media. Many are
influenced by such information into believing that matters like these were very frequent and commonplace and much worse
in the past.
Modern knowledge and ingenuity can only offer the solution !!!!
In
any case the modern mind will cling to the belief that the present is better
than the past and the future holds much promise. Society is progressing towards
an ideal state defined by we humans , and we have the power and the means to
shape society as we desire. (Ref.2)
Thus by appropriate measures, the particular problem that we are seized of at
the moment, ie sexual offences against women and children could be tackled and solved.
Thus is mooted speedy trial in law courts and stringent punishment like death
penalty and castration. The
justification is that it will
serve as a deterrent , and reduce
drastically future occurrence of such crimes. This is true to some
extent, but existing death penalty (or 12 years jail term) for
homicides has not put a full-stop to such violent events. The victims of such
violent incidents were not saved from harm by existing laws and the accused in many cases did not
get the deserved punishment. In many cases , corruption at different
levels had caused miscarriage of
justice. The same is likely to happen to
any law(statute) that may be drafted in future and its practical
administration. It would serve the
public and its women members very well
if they are able to come out of the delusion
that the law, policing and the judiciary will ensure their safety at all
times and places.
No option , other than accept the full contents of the entire package !!!!
If
the modern Indian considers that India is progressing as per Western norms and
that in the near future it will rival the West (including US) and even China,
then he/she will have to take notice of the following statistics provided by
Gandhiji , in Appendix II of his seminal work ‘Hind Swaraj’. (Ref 3
& 4).These figures provide a comparison of convicted persons in three different parts of
the world in 1899. The prison population
per 100,000 of inhabitants in (a)
Several European States put together is 100 to 230, (b) England & Wales is 190 and (c) in India is 38.The source of
the above figures is acknowledged to be from Michael G.Mulhall, FRSS,
Dictionary of Statistics, Routledge and Sons, 1899.(Hind Swaraj published by
CUP and Orient Black Swan , carry these figures). It has been hammered into the
Indian mind that England and Europe were much ‘ahead’ of India in the last half
of the 19th century , in ‘rational thinking, science, technology and
standard of living’. (Ref.1) The above figures also shows
that India was much behind in transforming
its citizens into criminals. The comparative figures of backward India
vis-à-vis progressive West does not fully reveal the criminal tendencies
induced by ‘ progress ‘ amongst the inhabitants of the West, since the above figures does
not reflect their criminal actions in
the colonies Therefore the progressive minded Indian, should never get alarmed or even
protest if India, along with other indices measuring progress, overtakes other
nations in corruption and criminal convictions. That is to say, increasing
trend in all kinds of crimes and those against women and children in
particular, should be considered as the natural outcomes of the policy of imitating the West in all areas, be it educational, economic,
political and social organisation.
What the figures tell ?
If
the above figures related to crime in Europe vis-a –vis India provides us with any valuable conclusion ,it
is that material progress at the cost of spirituality –ie. values and morals, is counter-productive. A couple of weeks back, our PM Manmohan
Singh had announced that to sustain and
improve economic growth more economic reforms are needed. Therefore undoubtedly
the push is for material progress.
Thus it is certain that crimes in
general and violent and sexual crimes against women will spiral-up in-spite of intensive
policing, surveillance cameras in all eight directions per square meter and
stringent laws.
Testimony from a source you can trust and identification of one major
problem.
Gandhiji
had written that ancient civilizations
like Greece, Rome and Egypt had
become extinct, whereas Indian civilization had outlived
so many vicissitudes through
thousands of years and one of the reasons
for its survival is that it had a system
of education solely with an eye to the welfare of the people, and based on
self-restraint and Brahmacharya.He felt
that a new civilization was passing through India. Neverthless he was confident
that it is transitory and that Indian civilization will be revivified. He
felt that before this new civilization
enveloped us, the basis of life
was self-restraint, but now it is enjoyment. And the result is that people have
become powerless cowards and forsook the truth. (Ref.5) – From the Indian perspective Gandhiji is absolutely true.
The Engilish meaning of the Sanskrit
word ‘Vira” in the ordinary sense is courageous and manly. But this word
carries a deeper meaning and had cast its powerful and soothing light on our
culture. A ‘Viran’ is not a chivalrous person who may fight with a lion or rescues a princess from the clutches of
the enemy after performing adventurous acts . A ‘Viran’ is a person who has all
his sensory organs including the mind under his control.(Ref.6). Such a man may look ‘effiminate’ in the eyes of other
cultures, but the original Indian education
system strived to produce Vira’s out of men
and that is what Gandhiji was writing about. Men undergoing such learning are unlikely to
harm women and children. Therefore one of the main causes for the increased
violence in modern society can be directly attributed to the modern system of
education. Guarantee of increased indulgence in sensory pleasures translated as
upward social mobility (money and status) and means to a livelihood are its
objectives. (Ref.7) But even this
kind of education is not in the reach of all, many are not able to afford
it, and this leads to disaffection
towards the society that promotes such a system. The antipathy towards society
is also found in many who had this
modern education, since they are also disillusioned and dissatisfied at some plane. Further modern education which
keeps the machinery of modern institutions well oiled, ensures that more and
more women will have to leave the safety
(of what is left) of their homes and
familiar environs and move
far away in search of career and jobs,
making them vulnerable. (Ref.9)The time has now come for women to take heed of
Gandhiji’s criticism of modern education.(Ref.1) (Ref.8)
Time to take a tough decision
The
new civilization ie. the modern Western
civilization, has thrown
self-restraint away and preaches instant gratification of all sensory pleasures. In such environments
women can never enjoy security and peace. Therefore the women of this country
is faced with two choices. Either chose to move along with this
‘life-corroding’ modern civilization . (Ref.3 & 4).Co-operate unquestioningly with and become a blind follower of all these
modern institutions. And undergo the travails and misery thrown up by the same.
Or challenge the basic tenents of this
new civilization, discard it and revert back to the ancient Indian
civilization. The second action requires
De-schooling, if we may borrow the term
from Ivan Illich. Illich himself feels that the condition of women in Europe
were better in pre-modern times.(Ref.9) It will benefit women immensly in thinking that prevention of the trauma is preferable
to justice for the victim.
Aim of Life as per original Indian thinking and Laws
effected to realize that aim.
Human
nature , particularly sexual arousal
& behaviour, especially of men, has
to be reconciled with any law that may be drafted to counter sexual aggression. Manusmriti, the
ancient law code given by Sage Manu had considered
the sexuality of humans while
formulating the law of conduct. He
discourages learned men (in Vedas
and its auxiliaries) and men who have
control over their sense organs,(yogis) in closely associating with any women
other than wife. He proscribes even learned and knowledgeable men, from
being alone and in seclusion with
their mother or sister or daughter, citing the powerful nature of sense-organs. Even the firm resolve of a man of learning and rightful conduct, could be
overcome by the power of his sensory organs, making him deviate from the path
of rightful conduct, (dharma) and
getting mired in sin.(adharma) (Chapter 2, verses 214 & 215).(Ref. 10 & 11) Manus Law code was
in tune with the “aim of life” of the ancient Indian people. Even the content
and delivery of the educative process in
those times were structured, to realize this sole aim. (Ref.12) Life and living were structured around the purusharthas , the ultimate aim of life
being moksha. People in general
followed the path shown by learned
men. In that milieu, men were also
subject to restrictions, and
women were comparatively safe from aggressive male behaviour. (Ref.8)
In this age, Manus code of conduct
for men , is also applicable for women
Now
we are in a different age, Kali Yuga where acquiring & accumulation of wealth and sensory indulgence
without any consideration of dharma
or rightful conduct is the order of the
day, and this life is lived by both sexes
. Manu’s wise counsel to men
for all time to come, desirous
of sound character and conduct required for fulfilling the purusharthas , will have to be followed by women desirous
of safe-guarding themselves in this age
( yuga ). Since noble ancient values has
been replaced by baser modern ones, they
should be wary of their male companions other than husbands and the places away
from home. Even at home it is risky for
them to be alone with their father, brother or son or even with their
grandfathers.
Does women possess a discriminating intellect ? If yes, they may try to
take the non-destructive path, of self and all things connected to self.
With
the change in civilizational values, women find themselves in a tight corner.
Actually real values and morality and as
defined by our culture act as a dampener
on modern economic thinking and its fruits thereof. The roller-coaster materialistic lifestyle based on current economic thinking
of progress-growth-development vis-à-vis
the life of simple living, voluntary poverty, slowness (Ref.4) accompanied by peace and
security- women will have to choose between these two mutually exclusive views
of life and living. Collectively it is
within their power and reach to halter the modern course’ since women
constitute half the population. And that can happen only if women utilize their intellect
discriminatively.
A precedence to the absolute effectiveness and victory of feminine qualities
Women may take their cue from our freedom
struggle. The manly strategy advocated by Vivekananda to arouse our youth in
the nationalistic struggle for independence ,did not produce the desired
results .He exhorted the youth to go for the three B’s-Beef, Biceps and the
Bhagavad-Gita. This was his response to the ‘manly’ aggression of the
colonizers, albeit in the same coin. A tit-for-tat response. But it was Gandhiji’s effeminate qualities
and strategies, effeminate in the eyes of other cultures and of
Western-educated Indians of the time, but part of our popular culture, that
immensely helped us to win our freedom
without violence (other than some isolated incidents) and helped to maintain our society relatively free of
violence till this date.(Ref.13) Still doubtful !!!. Satyagraha, fasting, vow
of silence , prayer meetings , spinning with the charkha, non-cooperation, sawdeshi,
sarvodaya vis –a-vis the misplaced manly tendency
of taking up arms to fight the oppressors. Contrasted to the plain
‘manly’ violence, destructive of everything including the social fabric in its
wake (eg. Violent Fight for Tamil Elam) ,Gandiji’s effeminate methods had
touched all aspect of individual and social life in a soothing and constructive
way. Women know thy strength!!!.
----------------------------------------------------
References
2)
‘What is History’
by E.H.Carr, Chapter 5, History as
Progress, (p.109-132), published by Penguin Books
3)
‘ M.K.Gandhi’s
Hind Swaraj, a critical edition’, annotated, translated & edited by Suresh
Sharma & Tridip Suhrud, page 101, Appendix II, Testimonies by Eminent Men,
published by Orient Black Swan
4)
‘Hind Swaraj’ and
Other Writings –Edited by Anthony J.Parel, page 120, part of Appendices
5)
The Selected
Works of Mahatma Gandhi, Vol.V, The
Voice of Truth, Navajivan Publishing House , Ahemadabad -14, Section V:
Religion and Culture, page-234, 31. Civilization and Culture
6)
Introduction to Tantra Sastra, by Sir John Woodroffe, page
116, Published by Ganesh & Co, T.Nagar, Madras -600017
8)
Gandhi For 21st
Century- THE ROLE OF WOMEN – Edited by Anand T.Hingorani, Published by
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (pages 2-11)
9)
Ivan Illich,
Gender (New York: Pantheon,
1982)
10)
Manus’ Code of
Law – A Critical Edition and Translation of The Manava-Dharmasastra by Patrik
Olivelle,-published by Oxford University Press, Chapter 2, Verse 215, page 106,
Chapter 9, Verses 10-12, page 190
11)
Manusmriti -exegesis by Siddhananda-swamy in Malayalam,
Published by Sri Ramakrishna Madam, Puranattukara, Trichur-680551., page 83
13)
‘The Intimate
Enemy’- Loss and Recovery of Self Under Colonialism by Ashis Nandy, pages
52-55, published by Oxford University Press
