By Arshad Azmi / News Clcik
THE Gujarat government’s decision to grant remission to the 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano case has given rise to a vicious attitude that rape is a justified political and masculinity-affirming tool. Instances of mass rapes being committed in the name of nationalistic pride are not uncommon.
Sadly, in India only rape cases with a political dimension or which receive media attention are reported, whilst many more go unreported. Although deterrent laws exist in place, the justice system has been unable to put a permanent end to the increase in rapes and sexual assaults.
For Bilkis Bano, the road to justice was not an easy one as it was an extremely dangerous and trauma-inducing journey. When she filed a complaint, she received numerous death threats; yet, she fought heroically until the edge of the line, making it possible to put the guilty behind bars. She waited a long time simply to see the rapist get punished , but her exhilaration faded quickly, and the shameful moment of the rapist’s release literally mocks her bravery, with videos surfacing on social media on the warm welcome received by the rapists of Bilkis Bano.
The criminals were freed following an investigation into the nature of the crime by a committee established by the government of Gujarat to give remissions.
Since the right-wing has emerged as a political force, they appear to be attempting to erase all the crimes they have committed in the past. From Zakia Jafri to Bilkis Bano, attempts to remove the stain off their hands with the help of state machinery are glaringly evident.
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