The widely publicised molestation of the 17 year old girl on the main thoroughfares of Guwahati and the reportage of the incident by media, particularly the electronic media, personifies the need to sensationalise such incidents in order that a product sells. Reportedly, two teenage girls went to a pub at around 11 p.m. In the intervening encounter at the pub, some boys got into a fracas with the two lasses. The disgusted duo left the pub in a huff. But the spat continued out on the street, with one of the girls eventually slapping one of the boys and fleeing away. The accompanying girl who lagged behind was apprehended and publicly humiliated and traumatized in front of the television channel. The victim also suffered burns inflicted upon her by cigarette butts The “show” was aired and the channel got the popularity it sought But, was it responsible and ethical reporting?
Now that the journalist who video recorded the footage is also arrested, it will be clear who actually orchestrated and incited the mob. The recording has in fact helped nail the culprits.
The episode is still available on the internet, with hits continuing to mount on the website. Admittedly, there will be some present at the venue — and viewers too — who may have actually relished witnessing the tragic episode. Close on the heels of the incident, another teenager almost met the same fate, at the hands of army jawans in Sibsagar district. Reportedly, a team of army personnel headed by Lance Naik were on patrol duty near a forest in Dolopa, where they spotted a teenage girl collecting firewood, and tried to molest her, but villagers’ intervention foiled their intentions.
The all–knowing section of the media branded the mob as molesters, even rapists. Never mind that they are yet to be tried in the court of law. Or, has the media usurped the power of judge and jury? What message is the society conveying to the teenage boys and girls today, with Bollywood films too depicting rape, almost to the point of glorifying such misdeeds?
The internet today is flooded with dating sites, escort services and a host of sites prompting a carefree liberal culture. Apart from our fashion shows, where virtual semi-nudity is accepted in the name of fashion, there’s rampant display of sex and flesh on the streets. This is promoted in the name of fashion and “being progressive.” Sex- oriented posters and advertisements is the norm. Sexual innuendoes in office, in television serials and scenes of infidelity, including kissing in public corners are increasingly being dismissed as a way of life. Even during the screening of movies comprising graphic scenes bordering on pornography, there’s an uncomfortable openness over the matter, so much so that actors/actresses in the scene present themselves before the audience for a “discussion” and offer an analytical explanation of the explicit scene! As if this is not enough, such movies attract huge crowds, evident by the history of screenings and audience response during IFFI.
The culture of openness and so called “broadmindedness” is evident with the emergence of various contraceptives like i-pills, which are doing a roaring business over the pharmacy counters keeping the pharmacists, the doctors, the pharmaceutical company as well as the partners happy with its continual use. Then, there is the live-in culture which is becoming a trend amongst some Goans. The list can go on.
This was however unheard of in post-liberation Goa, where even an illicit relationship attracted chastisement from the pulpit. Fearing this, wayward behavior was far discrete and rare.Today, however, those caught for various offences are exonerated by the courts, with even our renowned artistes/painters being enamored by female bodies: their bodies continue to be admired, written and discussed about, as if some semi-nude goddess is on display. wardrobe dysfunction at fashion shows is an increasing trend.
Why then should only the molesters involved in the attack on the girl be penalized, when we as a society and a Government have turned permissive, which is primarily responsible for this decay? If the United States is in financial mess, it has been brought about by moral depravation. India’s moral depravation has begun. We are living in a Carnival atmosphere of permissiveness. Our society’s downslide is inevitable. This is the writing on the wall! READ IT WELL!
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people’s edit
Precaution is better than cure
Jerry Fernandes, Saligao
The statement by Urban Minister Francis D’Souza on the floor of the House with regards to Shree Ram Sene clearly shows that the BJP in particular has no interest in banning this outfit, as it incidentally happens to be a creation of the ruling BJP in Karnataka. due to which we see our ruling party getting all set to embrace it with open arms in Goa. “Let them first come to Goa and then, we will see them” was the meek reply given by Francis D’Souza when questioned on this issue by some Opposition leaders. Well, this is like telling everyone to first get infected with a dangerous disease like AIDS and then to expect to cure the said disease by running to the doctors and through various medicines. Francis D’Souza also says that Pramod Muthalik and his gang is free to move in any part of the country as its their Constitutional,. Well, if that is the case, then why not also allow all the Muslim groups like the Indian Mujaheedin, SIMI, etc., with open arms in Goa? A lunatic like Pramod Muthalik and his ‘goonda’ group which is famous for terrorizing everyone (especially College students and young couples) at public places in the name of Indian culture should never be entertained in a modern civilized secular state like Goa because people over here are not just peace-loving, but freedom-loving and are very much decent. Forget following western lifestyles, Goans give equal rights and total freedom for everyone, including their women in Goa. People therefore will not just see Goan men, but even women going for work and even partying out in discotheques, pubs, etc. on weekends with their husbands/close friends without any restrictions in Goa. Goans should therefore not take things lying down, but should force the current ruling BJP government to take some serious steps to keep such unwanted roadside goonda elements out of Goa because finally, taking early precautions is always better than cure. Today, even a healthy family dog infected with rabbies is immediately taken to task so as to save the other dogs from getting similar infection. So, why not stop a lunatic Pramod Muthalik who is infected with a more deadly virus called communalism?
