The Incomplete Independence After 78 Years: The Unfinished Battle for Women’s Safety in India!
“You may kill a thousand women, but you will never kill the idea of freedom, equality, and rights that each one carries with her.”
— Malala Yousafzai, I Am Malala
As India approaches its 78th Independence Day, a day that marks our freedom from colonial rule, it’s time to reflect deeply on what independence truly means. Our nation’s history is rich with stories of sacrifice, bravery, and the unyielding spirit of countless freedom fighters who gave their lives for the cause of our freedom.
But as we celebrate this day with flags, parades, and patriotic songs, we must ask ourselves a difficult and uncomfortable question: Are we truly independent? More specifically, can we claim that our women and girls are independent in today’s India?
The Shadow Over Freedom: A Grim Reality
Every day, news reports remind us of the dark reality that haunts our country. Rape, molestation, physical violence — these are the horrifying experiences that women and girls in India endure daily. It’s not just a headline; it’s a chilling reality that casts a shadow over the very freedom we celebrate. The streets are not safe, public transport is fraught with fear, schools, and hospitals are no sanctuaries, and the very homes that should offer protection often become prisons of terror. Whether in their maternal homes or in-laws’ houses, many women live in constant fear of abuse.
This is not the India that our freedom fighters envisioned. The country they fought for was one where every citizen, regardless of gender, could live with dignity, freedom, and safety. Yet, here we stand in the 21st century, where the women of India must fight day and night for their basic right to life. They battle not only for their survival but also against a society that often blames them for the violence inflicted upon them.
Fear and Insecurity: A Woman’s Daily Struggle
Why must a woman fear stepping out of her home, whether in broad daylight or at night? Why can’t she feel safe walking down a street, passing a group of men, or traveling alone on a deserted road? The reality is that in today’s India, women cannot take their safety for granted, even in spaces that should be the safest.
Consider the recent incident at RG Kar State Hospital, where a 31-year-old second-year PGT doctor was brutally raped and murdered. She was in her workplace, a place where she should have felt secure, especially after dedicating 36 hours of her life to serving others. She wasn’t wearing provocative clothing; she was simply resting after an exhausting shift. What was her fault? That she fell asleep in a place where she was supposed to be safe?
The manner in which she was treated defies humanity. Even wild animals show more mercy than the perpetrators of such heinous acts. Yet, this is not an isolated case. We all remember the Nirbhaya case in Delhi, and the tragic events in Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and countless other states across the country. India is indeed united and diverse, but tragically, the situation of our women and girls remains uniformly dire across the nation.
The Societal Blame Game: A Deep-Seated Issue
Our society has a troubling habit of placing women in the dock, questioning their choices rather than condemning the actions of the perpetrators. When a woman is raped or assaulted, the first questions often revolve around what she was wearing, why she was out late, and what she might have done to “provoke” the attack. The underlying message is clear: it’s her fault for being a woman in a world that still doesn’t see her as an independent citizen of free India.
Why do we, as a society, continue to impose these restrictions on women? Why do we tell them that they should be home by 8 p.m., that they should avoid certain places, or that they should dress in a way that doesn’t “excite” men? Are women not independent citizens of this free country? If we continue to impose these restrictions, then what are we really celebrating on Independence Day?
Take a moment to consider the recent incident at RG Kar State Hospital again. What was the fault of the doctor who was brutally assaulted? Was it her dedication to her profession, her choice to work late hours, or the simple fact that she is a woman? The sheer brutality of her murder is a reminder that the real fault lies not with her, but with a society that allows such crimes to happen.
A Nationwide Crisis: The Unending Tale of Injustice
Unfortunately, this is not just one incident. We are all painfully aware of the Nirbhaya case in Delhi, which sparked national outrage and led to promises of change. But what has really changed? In every state, in every city, and in every town across India, the story remains the same. Women are treated as objects, as toys, as garbage — discarded and dehumanized by a society that refuses to see them as equals.
Is this the India our freedom fighters sacrificed their lives for? Is this the independence they envisioned for us? Independence is not just about breaking free from colonial rule; it is about creating a society where every individual, regardless of gender, can live with dignity, respect, and safety.
The Failures of Our Legal System: A Mockery of Justice
Adding to the tragedy is the failure of our legal system. Rapists and murderers often walk free, either on bail or because of a lack of “conclusive” evidence. The wheels of justice turn slowly, if at all, and for every Nirbhaya who receives some semblance of justice, there are countless others whose cases languish in the courts for decades. Their families are left to pick up the pieces, often without closure or justice.
We, as a society, are quick to discuss these incidents, to express our sorrow and outrage, and to participate in candlelight vigils. But what happens after that? Do we really fight for justice, or do we move on to the next headline? The truth is, for most of us, these tragedies are distant, something that happens to “other people.” But for the families of the victims, the pain is real, enduring, and often lifelong.
It’s time we stood together, not just in words, but in action. We must form support networks, create shelters, and establish NGOs that provide real help to those in need. We must come together to demand justice, just as our freedom fighters did. They fought for a free India; now it’s our turn to fight for an India where every woman and girl can live without fear.
Fighting Back: A Call to Action for India’s Women
In this Kalyug, we cannot wait for a divine intervention to save us. Lord Krishna may have saved Draupadi in the Mahabharata, but today’s Draupadis must fight for themselves. We can no longer rely on others to protect us; we must take matters into our own hands.
Krishna did not show mercy to the culprits of injustice, and he has shown us the path of righteousness. He has given every woman the strength to fight, for women are embodiments of Durga and Kali, goddesses of power and destruction. It’s time we embraced that power, not just for ourselves, but for every woman and girl in this country.
We must stand together, support each other, and be the change we want to see. Gossip and judgment have no place in this fight. Instead, we must lift each other up, hold each other’s hands, and fight for justice with the same spirit that our freedom fighters fought for our independence.
Conclusion: Reclaiming True Independence
As we celebrate our 78th Independence Day, let us not forget the countless women and girls who are still waiting for their independence — independence from fear, violence, and injustice. Let us honor the memory of our freedom fighters by continuing their fight, not against foreign oppressors, but against the oppressors within our own society.
True independence will only be achieved when every woman and girl in India can walk freely, live fearlessly, and thrive in a society that values their rights and their lives. Until then, our struggle for freedom continues, and it is a fight we must all commit to, with courage, determination, and unity.
