The nation is appalled by the spate of blatant sexual attacks on our little children! Quite naturally, horror-struck citizens are demanding that perpetrators, as well as those entrusted with the safety of the little ones, be speedily brought to book for the vicious assaults by the assailants, and for the negligence or dereliction of duty by the authorities. This reaction is natural and well justified. We cannot live in a lawless world; but surely, we should also be anxious to identify the root cause for such barbaric crimes that threaten the very foundation of civilisation itself! Where and how has this culture of violence so assiduously and stealthily overtaken our sense of what is good and what is evil? When we examine the facts dispassionately, the truth should surely disturb us; but, be assured: ‘the truth will set us free’! If we are completely honest with ourselves, we will accept that the problem lies within our own hearts!
We, as a country and as a people, have been grossly remiss in many ways. When one looks at the photographs of that impish, innocent little boy (in the Ryan International School), who was the victim of such unspeakable violence, our hearts go out to his parents. Why should any parent be condemned to such a horrifying, – literally, ‘sentence for life’? Without taking anything away from their abysmal loss, the trauma of the tragedy, I am sure, would also apply to the parents of the assailant. All of society, I dare say, must take stock of such a terrible incident that repeats itself time after time.
To me, this is a defining moment. It is we, citizens of India who are condoning and encouraging the culture of extreme violence. Nothing less. The culture of violence has been escalating exponentially without let or hindrance. And the root-cause for all the violence is staring us in the face; but we are so much a consensual part of the culture, that we choose to be in denial!
This is a serious situation. It calls, not for cuddling or comforting, but for confronting the truth. Consider this recent case: The parents of a thirteen-year old victim of rape approached the Apex Court of the land for relief under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act. It quickly became the subject of a talk-show on TV. I was shocked when the female anchor of one show actually castigated a member of the audience for referring to a child in the womb of the survivor as a “baby”! “What ‘baby’ are you talking about” she said; “we are talking about a foetus”! I could only hang my head in shame! To what level of depravity have we allowed ourselves to sink! By legalising abortion, the parents of an unborn child are permitted to commit murder of the most helpless and dependent person in creation. It is this MTP Act that licenses the culture of violence.
Why can we not find it in us to praise God for the gift of life? A free will, is very much a part of that gift; but unless we use that freedom in a responsible manner – we are liable to behave like the rest of the animal species. In other words, when we spurn this unique gift of life with a free will, we have to face serious consequences: The culture of violence is the primary fallout. That is the price we pay when we live licentiously. As we sow, so shall we reap.
