A Call to Conscience: Women’s Convention Condemns Rising Atrocities, Demands Government Action
Bengaluru — A powerful chorus of condemnation and urgent demands for systemic reform echoed through Gandhi Bhavan on Saturday as hundreds of women convened for a state-level convention addressing the escalating and gruesome crimes against women in India. The event, organized by the All India Mahila Sanskritik Sanghatan (AIMSS), served as a stark indictment of current realities, blending raw anguish with a resolute call for movement-building and governmental accountability.
ಮಹಿಳೆಯರ ಮೇಲಿನ ಅಪರಾಧಗಳ ಏರಿಕೆ: ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ಸಮಾವೇಶದಲ್ಲಿ ನೀತಿ ಸುಧಾರಣೆಗೆ ಒತ್ತಾಯ
Veteran theatre artist Prof. Rameshwari Verma, inaugurating the convention, set a somber tone. She expressed deep distress not only at the rising frequency of crimes but also at their increasingly “grotesque, perverse and ghastly” nature. Prof. Verma also took aim at popular culture, arguing that the portrayal of women as villains in daily soaps and films “is adding fuel to an already existing problem.” She praised the AIMSS campaign as a “ray of hope” for women across the state.
A Scathing Critique of “Inaction” and “Illusion”
The convention’s resolutions moved beyond cultural critique to direct political accusation. A central theme was the perceived failure of governments, particularly the BJP-led administration at the Centre, to ensure women’s safety or deliver timely justice.
K. Uma, State Secretary of the Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist), delivered a sharp condemnation. “We are observing a rise in rape incidents where a culture is being promoted, and those involved are enjoying political support,” Uma stated. She pointed to the release of convicts in cases like Unnao and Bilkis Bano, and the prolonged violence in Manipur, as evidence of a system that protects the powerful. “Women are being oppressed and raped in the name of caste and community, yet the Prime Minister has not spoken out,” she alleged, concluding that the current government is “anti-women.”
Her sentiments were echoed by activist Madhulatha of AIMSS, who challenged official narratives of progress. “While leaders are portrayed as ‘world gurus’ offering guarantees, media reports tell us a woman becomes a victim of crime every seven minutes,” she said. She accused the government of creating an “illusion” of a “shining India” for political gain, while the ground reality for women remains grim.
Concrete Demands and a Faulty Justice System
Speakers paired their criticism with specific, actionable demands directed at state and central authorities. Dr. Seema, an AIMSS activist from Gulbarga, highlighted the corrosive impact of easily accessible obscene online content. “The government must close down these obscene websites. It is within their power if there is political will,” she asserted, citing examples like Australia’s restrictions on social media for children.
The judiciary itself did not escape scrutiny. Dr. Seema pointed to the low and declining conviction rates for crimes against women, which she said “frustrates the people and encourages the criminals.” She, along with other speakers, demanded the widespread establishment of fast-track courts exclusively for such cases. Madhulatha questioned the frequent bail and parole granted to convicted rapists, asking, “What does it say about the integrity of our judiciary?”
K. Uma extended the critique to the broader political-economic system. “The judicial system is controlled by politicians and capitalists and does not deliver justice for the people,” she claimed, arguing that government policies consistently favor corporate interests over public welfare, particularly that of women.
A Movement for Fundamental Change
Beyond demands placed on the state, the convention emphasized the need for a grassroots societal movement. “Awareness must be created among the public to clarify who the system truly favors,” urged K. Uma. Prof. Verma spoke of the need to “break from the present pattern” through sustained campaigning.
Madhulatha outlined AIMSS’s ongoing efforts, including a four-month signature campaign to pressure authorities. The convention itself passed a resolution condemning the alleged U.S. attack on Venezuela, linking global imperialism to the struggle for women’s dignity.
The gathering raised uncomfortable questions that resonate far beyond the walls of Gandhi Bhavan: Where is the political will to translate promises of women’s safety into concrete action? When will a comprehensive national women’s policy see the light of day? How long must women wait for a justice system that deters rather than enables criminals?
As the participants dispersed, K. Uma’s inaugural exhortation hung in the air: “Bring change in the system through your struggle.” For the hundreds of women present, and the countless others they represent, the struggle for a society free from grotesque violence and systemic apathy is clearly just beginning.
Key Quotes
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Prof. Rameshwari Verma: “Crimes are not only increasing but are becoming more grotesque, perverse, and ghastly. The portrayal of women as villains in media is adding fuel to an already existing problem.”
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K. Uma (SUCI-C): “A culture is being promoted where those involved in rape enjoy political support. The current government is anti-women.”
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Dr. Seema (AIMSS): “The government must shut down obscene websites. It has the power, but lacks the political will. Low conviction rates encourage criminals.”
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ಪ್ರೊ. ರಮೇಶ್ವರಿ ವರ್ಮಾ: “ಕೇವಲ ಅಪರಾಧಗಳು ಹೆಚ್ಚುತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ, ಅವು ಹೆಚ್ಚು ವಿಕೃತ, ವಿಕಾರ ಮತ್ತು ಘೋರವಾಗುತ್ತಿವೆ. ಮಾಧ್ಯಮಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಮಹಿಳೆಯರನ್ನು ಖಳನಾಯಕಿಯಾಗಿ ಚಿತ್ರಿಸುವುದು ಇಂದಿನ ಸಮಸ್ಯೆಗೆ ಇಂಧನ ಸೇರಿಸುತ್ತಿದೆ.”
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ಕೆ. ಉಮಾ (ಸುಸಿ-ಕ): “ಬಲಾತ್ಕಾರದಲ್ಲಿ ಭಾಗಿಯಾದವರಿಗೆ ರಾಜಕೀಯ ಬೆಂಬಲ ಇರುವ ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತಿಯನ್ನು ಬೆಳೆಸಲಾಗುತ್ತಿದೆ. ಈ ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಮಹಿಳಾ ವಿರೋಧಿ.”
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ಡಾ. ಸೀಮಾ (ಎಐಎಂಎಸ್ಎಸ್): “ಸರ್ಕಾರವು ಅಶ್ಲೀಲ ವೆಬ್ಸೈಟ್ಗಳನ್ನು ಮುಚ್ಚಬೇಕು. ಅದರ ಹತೋಟಿ ಇದೆ, ಆದರೆ ರಾಜಕೀಯ ಇಚ್ಛಾಶಕ್ತಿ ಇಲ್ಲ. ಕಡಿಮೆ ದೋಷಸ್ಥಾಪನೆ ಅಪರಾಧಿಗಳನ್ನು ಉತ್ತೇಜಿಸುತ್ತದೆ.”
