The Point Being ? ? ?

"The essence of government is power; and power, lodged as it must be in human hands, is ever liable to abuse" (James Madison)

                         

Hi Everyone,

Someone has very rightly said that it is much better to remain silent and let people think you are stupid, rather than opening your mouth and proving you are. That's what the government of this country is doing every now and then, especially when it comes to dealing with crimes (specifically crime against women).

In Noida the UP government has recently started a "women only" bus service but it has a catch - its only till 5:30 in the evening. Smart isn't it. Making a statement without even saying anything. And what's that statement is? It is - "All girls who have good character should not be out after 5:30 in the evening. They should not do late evening jobs. They are responsible for any sexual assault cases if it happens after 5:30 and so on". Of course they cannot say it verbally as it will create storm of accusations but they said it nonetheless with their initiative. I will say the move is good but the catch is bad and the unsaid statement they made is plain ridiculous. So whats the point of such a initiative?

When the Delhi rape case happened, entire North India was in uproar against the accused, demanding severe punishments like death sentence and castration. Of course the Verma Committee then finally came in with the new and more stringent laws regarding the rape cases. One such law was reporting a FIR verbatim on the spot. And just weeks later we hear in news that cases have come where women have started abusing this law to falsely frame people. So whats the point of Government creating a law when the people for whom that law has been created are abusing it.

Last example I am taking is of a law (made few years back) to protect a members of what many people consider lower caste in UP. The law entailed an immediate case registration against whom the complaint was made. So as soon as the law was made many cases of false accusations came into light where many good men were being dragged into courts for no reason whatsoever. So what's the point of abusing a law which is made to protect you.

I picked these three example from top of my mind. There are several others. I must say that there is something in the genetics and culture of this country which makes us to be selfish, dishonest and power abuser. I am not saying that there is no good but it's less. Everyone must be familiar with the cry wolf story. Lets make sure that we are not sitting ducks when actual wolf comes and there is no one to help around. So the only question I ask myself - The Point Being???

Having highlighted the problem, the big question is what can we do to improve the situation. There are some fairly simple ways:

1. Don't abuse the laws for petty gains. Laws are made to help you. Don't be a helpless sheep when the real wolf comes (Like cases of false rape accusations)
2. If you see someone abusing it please come ahead and be the whistle blower (There are ways where you can anonymously help without getting entangled into the legal proceedings)
3. Boycott any stupid policy by not endorsing it (Anyway one policy I mentioned above is practically useless considering the growing number of female workforce)

So here both the Government and the public is to blame because in one way or another there is abuse of power. Use power for just causes and question any stupid policies rigorously rather than becoming the ostrich and not doing anything to combat the situation.

Be a part of the SOLUTION and not the PROBLEM.

Thanks,

Genie Signing off.