India's daughter is a documentary directed,produced and written by Leslee Udwin. It is based on the most infamous incident happened on December 16, 2012; which not only shook the conscience of India but also of the whole world. The history had never witnessed such protest and anger. That even brought and passed the criminal law amendment ordinance in a record time.
It was supposed to be shown on channel BBC Four worldwide and on NDTV in India on March 8, 2015, The International Women's day. There was a strong advisory circulated not to show the documentary in India and abroad after the parliamentary uproar. However, after growing interest BBC Four decided to prepone and air the documentary on March 4, 2015 but only in UK.
Just after the news came that BBC Four will air the documentary despite the ban and the outrages against documentary on social media like twitter and facebook. Zee News strongly opposed the airing and trended the hashtag #DontRapeAgain means don't embarrass us again by showing this documentary, we Indians are already hurt. Times Now editor Arnab Goswami debated as usual aggressively and trended the hashtag #NirbhayaInsulted. I was looking at the tweets, more than 90% of the people were not in the favor of showing the documentary. They were demanding the ban of whole BBC group.
In parliament, Home Minister said in a strong voice that a rapist can never be interviewed, he is personally hurt over the order issued by previous Ministry of Home Affairs. Lawmakers even demanded to handover the rapist to women on the open road, one argued about the education given and about the mindset. One let us knew that our tourism industry has been hampered badly, we cannot allow this documentary to be aired anywhere, it will malign the name of India on the global platform.
After watching the documentary on YouTube, I can say banning the documentary will not malign India's name, continuous incidents of rape, molestation and the crime against women will, the lawmakers with criminal background with no trials seating inside parliament will, delay in judgement will(justice delayed is justice denied), low rate of conviction will, the failure at the grassroots will.
The documentary shows the truth, the mirror that the rhetoric mindsets still exist and that too exist against the freedom of women. The rapist, who is facing death sentence,was interviewed by Leslee Udwin. In the interview, he says "while being raped she should have not fought back and protested against, all would have left her alive... girl is for household work, she should have not gone outside after 7 pm...only 20% girls are good, rest all are bad, wear bad clothes, go to bars, discos...one cannot clap with one hand, girls are also responsible...we criminals should have not given death sentence, nothing will happen, if you give death to the rapist then next time onward rapists will kill the girl after rape... what happened to those who raped and burnt a girl, nothing happened". He pointed out the laziness of judiciary, nothing has happened yet and nothing will happen to me too,
These statements by the rapist are so disturbing, he has no guilt or compunction of wrongdoing at all. You will be surprised to know the statements given by the defense lawyers and believe me this is the most disappointing part of this documentary. One lawyer says, girl is like a flower, if you will keep in the temple , she will be worshiped, otherwise she will be spoiled...He further adds our culture is the best, there is no place for women...A woman means, I immediately put the sex in his eyes...We never allow our woman to come out of the house...If you put your diamond on the road, certainly the dog will take out. Now think, is he fit to be a lawyer??
Other lawyer says If my daughter or sister will go out after 7 pm and will have any boyfriend or any relationship or any extra marital affairs, I will burn her alive at my farmhouse. Can such statements be expected from a lawyer, who fights for the rights of human being and brings people to justice? Should not these lawyers be banned from practices? I hope Bar Council will take stern action against these morons. Trust me, such mindsets will malign the name of India.
Other lawyer says If my daughter or sister will go out after 7 pm and will have any boyfriend or any relationship or any extra marital affairs, I will burn her alive at my farmhouse. Can such statements be expected from a lawyer, who fights for the rights of human being and brings people to justice? Should not these lawyers be banned from practices? I hope Bar Council will take stern action against these morons. Trust me, such mindsets will malign the name of India.
Low rate of conviction, delay in justice, mindset, education, economical background, surroundings and many factors are responsible for the crimes against the women. One turning point was that incident. I hope the second turning point will be this airing of documentary. Parents would have to teach their sons how to behave toward women, how to give respect instead of not allowing their daughters to go out and to wear particular dress. Parents would have to work over the sacrament, the upbringing, the mindset their sons are developing.
Nothing has changed since December 16, 2012. But changes can be brought on the ground with the collective responsibilities. Men would have to come forward and work for the freedom of women. Women would have to be more stronger than ever before. Women,the better halves, are entitled to be born, to go anywhere, anytime and have the right to wear anything they want.
The documentary has some parts which may be objectionable to the society as well as to the govt; like how a rapist can be interviewed and allowed to speak remorselessly who has no regret over such heinous crime, how the real name of the victim can be used in the documentary film. But it will also show the real mindset men possess in the patriarchal society. The pain of the parents of India's daughter will leave you disturbed to the core of your heart...forever. The tears in the eyes of her mother will break you. Her proud father says, "A tornado had come, hope it will change everything now".
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My views are personal.
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My views are personal.
