Skip to main content

The Ruchika Case and How we never shall learn

It is an old one now. Several years ago, a girl is molested ( like that happens almost every hour of the day even today) then she commits suicide and you people now must be knowing all the details.


What makes this case interesting is that even as we all display shock that a powerful man got away with it, we have not gasped in disbelief. Cummon, we all know that powerful men like Rathore can get away with crimes such as these. It is no big deal that politicians of the day supported him, the school, a premier educational institution of its time, run by God fearing, missionaries and nuns lends it support to the culprit and are we shocked? Really?


The answer is no. We all know this happens. On this very blog I had written about a case in another convent school in another part of the region.


Holding marches and lighting candles shall serve not much purpose as we are still not looking inwards but outwards. Spitting anger on one man shall not erase the fact that we Indians have become used to molestation and the dirt of it. That Ruchika was molested, she would have been just another child, like several others who are being ill - treated even now perhaps as I am typing these words. She chose to fight it till the end, up till death and for this courage I will not be able to write or describe words for.


In her death, Ruchika taught us so much, that little teenager showed us a path we never saw.


The path to righteousness. The Idea not to compromise and move on but to fight and fight with full courage.

Ruchika Girhotra today is no more among us. The nation who no longer has the righteous respect for its nationalist leaders like Gandhi or Bhagat whose philosophies we have very conveniently dumped deep in dustbins, shall forget her soon. But even for a brief time, this girl shall stand as an Icon. An icon of hope. A hope that if a fourteen year old could stood up to lustrous demands of an Inspector General of Police then how come we are so helpless to improve our very own country, our planet.


But this case also gives us a reason to hang our heads in shame. For around two decades we never woke up to the gruesome reality of Ruchika. That girl had a right to live and had she been alive she would have grown up to be a beautiful young woman today. We Indians, citizens of this land are somewhat responsible for her death. Aren't we?


Labels:

Comments

tamanna said…
yes...we are responsible...all of us...
splendidly written...
January 12, 2010 at 8:58 PM
BK Chowla, said…
You may like to read my post--CANDLES FOR WHO? and MEDALS
January 15, 2010 at 5:39 PM
Post a Comment

Also read

Cutting people off isn’t strength—It is a trauma response

Your ability to cut people off and self-isolate is not a skill you should be proud of—It is a trauma response Cutting people off and self-isolating may feel like a protective shield, but it is often rooted in unresolved or unhealed trauma and an inability to depend on others. While these behaviors seem like self-preservation, they end up reinforcing isolation and blocking meaningful connections. Confronting these patterns, seeking therapy, and nurturing supportive relationships can help break this unhealthy cycle. Plus, a simple act like planting a jasmine plant can symbolise the start of your journey towards emotional healing. Why do we cut people off and isolate? If you’re someone who prides themselves on “cutting people off” or keeping a tight circle, you might believe it’s a skill—a way to protect yourself from betrayal, hurt, or unnecessary drama. I get it. I’ve been there, too. But here’s the thing: this ability to isolate yourself is not as empowering as it may seem. In fact, i...
1 comment
Read more

Epitome of equality

First of all This is not to demean any religion.. I am a Hindu by birth, but yes I respect all religions .I offer my daily prayers , fast on holy days , but there was something that was disturbing me . God as per me was a Friend, someone who was by my side always , someone who was a dear friend , but this is not what everyone else thought , for others he was the Judge who gives his verdict always and punishes anyone and everyone . Walk into any temple and you would see , if you have money , you will be treated in a way as if you are the ONLY disciple of the God . I have had too many experiences where I was treated as a second class citizen in the temple . Why? Well I could not afford giving thousands as donation. This is not how it should be , God looks at each one of us with the same divinity .As I mentioned God for me is a friend, so tell me, do we chose friends based on their bank balances? Do we give our verdict on them ? then how can God do it? I know many of us would ...
32 comments
Read more

Legions of Slave Women in the Mahabharata

Awakening to the Bhagavad Gita (series) - 1 For, taking refuge in Me, they also, who, O Arjuna, may be of sinful birth— women, Vaisyas as well as Sudras—attain the Supreme Goal! How much more easily then the holy Brahmins and devoted royal saints (attain the goal); having obtained this impermanent and unhappy world, do thou worship Me. The Bhagavad Gita, Chap 9, Ver 32, 33 So women are of sinful birth! As well as all kinds of workers, business men, entrepreneurs, most of the general population. The only people of virtuous births are priests — Brahmins — and royal saints, meaning saintly royals, meaning noble Kshatriyas. No wonder then that Yudhishthira — to reinstate whom this whole Mahabharata war has been fought — maintained hundreds of thousands of slave women! Take that number again: hundreds of thousands! He had so much gold, he could afford to. He had so much virtue, but he wanted more! Let's find the facts and figures from Draupadi's own wo...
15 comments
Read more