Young women were dragged and attacked for enjoying a drink at local pub in Mangalore that too in full media glare! The story didn’t end there. A young girl who was humiliated for being with a Muslim friend finally committed suicide. These are some of the reported stories whereas there are endless stories which have gone unreported before and after Valentine’s Day. What is the message of these so called ‘culture’ brigade? Carrying out mob attacks and using brute force on minorities/ weaker sections be it religious or regional or gender, is this true Indian culture?
It is shameful that in a democratic country like India young women have to face humiliation for enjoying freedom that young men have been enjoying for decades. These mob attacks and the ones carried out by Raj Thackeray in Mumbai are true signs of real sad times educated youth of this country are facing. What option do they have? Adhere to the rules laid down by these so called ‘culture’ brigade? Be a part of the mob? Go back in Time and become a regional or religious fanatic and male chauvinistic pig? Or simply go to nearest consulate and make immigration plans? Also should women stick to those silly regressive roles dictated by out dated society? That too at a time when an entire educated generation is totally tuning into global culture!
There are ample issues starting from governance, crumbling infrastructure, inflation, corruption, poverty, sad state of health and education sector etc which can be picked up and politicized for the sake of polls. Picking up regional, religious, gender and so called ‘culture’ issues in modern times indicates death of good political imagination and leadership as well. Thus we are throwing our nation in to greater chaos by allowing these regional and religious minded parties get away with such insane acts.
Also maybe media has a greater role to play here. The very fact that cameras were rolling when those young women were being slapped and beaten and the repeated telecast/debate shows limited role of mainstream media (television, which reaches every household of the country) – being that of mute spectator with an eye on TRPs. The least they can do is project the true pub culture where people meet to unwind after a day or a week to enjoy drink, food, music and company and expose faces behind these mobs. Rest immoral acts can happen everywhere. Let us all say it loud and clear that pub culture is definitely saner than mob culture.
