Letter to the Hoot—Missing protest

IN Opinion | 04/12/2004

Gang rapes and custodial rapes make news, but not vociferous protests against them.

Dear Sir

Newspapers in the capital on December 2 focussed entirely on the BJP`s protests at Ramlila Maidan on December 1. In doing so, they completely missed an important demonstration. About 3000 women from almost all states of the country marched from Ramlila Maidan to Parliament Street in a colourful procession under the banner of All India Mahila Sanskritik Sangathan. They were protesting against increasing crimes against women, growing obscenity and vulgarity in the media, particularly in portrayal of women, and specifically against an October 2003 Supreme Court judgement that allows police to arrest women at night and without the mandatory presence of policewomen. The march culminated at Parliament Street in a protest meeting, which continued for a full two hours. It was addressed, among others, by former Delhi HC Chief Justice Rajinder Sachar. Separate delegations submitted petitions to the Prime Minister and the Chief Justice of India.

Except for Jansatta and Rashtriya Sahara, no other newspaper carried news or photographs of this event. A couple of TV channels filmed clips of the procession and interviewed some of the women leaders, but chose not to telecast these.

Gang rapes and custodial rapes make news, but not vociferous protests against them. Or was the media afraid of the protest against growing obscenity and anti-women portrayals?

R. Rajesh
48/13 2nd Floor
East Patel Nagar
New Delhi

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