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Noted Nest

The Illusion of Freedom

By Vishesh Kashyap


Over the years, misogyny has carved its mark into the very fabric of society, manifesting in one of the most brutal ways—rape. Men, entrenched in outdated notions of superiority, have weaponized violence to assert dominance over women. Through this heinous act, they attempt to establish a grotesque form of supremacy. Yet, the most tragic realization is that we, as a society, have failed to change. We cloak ourselves in the veneer of progress, but the rot of ancient biases still festers beneath.


We proclaim our independence with pride, but are we truly free? Can we claim India as independent when women live in perpetual fear, afraid to step out of their homes—not just in the dead of night, but even under the sun's warm gaze? Can we assert our freedom when the very politicians we elect—those sworn to protect us—are accused of rape, with countless charges buried under a mountain of bureaucracy? When a former Prime Minister's grandson seeks exile to escape rape allegations, can we still boast of freedom? We trumpet the ideals of freedom and rights, yet the very legal system that should safeguard these ideals remains unresponsive until we take to the streets in protest. Are we truly independent, or is our freedom just an illusion?


Time and time again, we see rape cases splashed across headlines, igniting waves of public outrage and demands for justice. But what about the silent tragedies that unfold every minute? What about the countless rapes that go unreported, the voices stifled by fear, and the cases buried because the perpetrator wields power or wealth? The horror of rape is not just in the act itself but in the suffocating silence that follows. Why must we scream, protest, and demand something as fundamental as justice? Is our legal system blind, or worse, is it deaf to the cries of its own people? Sadly, the answer is all too clear.


But here lies another harsh truth: We protest, we take to the streets in collective outrage, but a month later, it’s as if nothing happened. The fury dissipates, the banners are folded away, and life resumes its course. We move on, until the next horrifying case comes to light, and the cycle begins anew. The problem is that our anger is fleeting, our protests are temporary. We rage against the machine, but we lack the persistence to dismantle it.


Rape is not just an act of violence; it is a weapon used to subjugate, to humiliate, to annihilate the spirit of women. Throughout history, women have been raped by the rich to flaunt their wealth, by men to assert physical dominance, as a form of protest, to exact revenge, and even as a cruel tool of war. This is the reality of our society—a society that dares to call itself free and independent. The absurdity of it all no longer incites just anger or sadness; it brings forth a bitter, hollow laugh. We are so blinded by political ideologies and partisan loyalties that we are even willing to defend a rapist, as long as he aligns with our beliefs.


Is there hope? Can we stop this cycle of violence? In moments of rage, society calls for the harshest punishments, even death, for rapists. But has this approach worked? If it had, we would not be here, grappling with the same horrors. The truth is, the change we need cannot be legislated; it must be ingrained in the very fabric of our society. We need to create a culture that does not shy away from these conversations but confronts them head-on. We need to educate our children, not just in schools but in our homes, teaching them the value of respect, consent, and equality.


Yet, there is a pervasive silence when it comes to these topics. We find it uncomfortable to discuss rape, to confront the reality that it is not just a crime committed by strangers in dark alleys but one that occurs in our schools, our workplaces. We shy away from acknowledging that our very culture, with its glorification of toxic masculinity and its objectification of women, plays a role in perpetuating this violence. 


Consider the statistics: In India, a woman is raped every 16 minutes. But behind every statistic is a story, a life shattered by violence. These are not just numbers; they are a testament to our collective failure. A society that turns a blind eye to these atrocities is complicit in them. And when we, as a society, fail to protect our most vulnerable, we lose our humanity.


The irony is bitter: We live in an age of unprecedented technological advancement, yet we remain trapped in primitive cycles of violence and subjugation. We have made progress in science, medicine, and industry, but when it comes to gender equality, we have barely moved the needle. We need a revolution, not of guns and bullets, but of minds and hearts. A revolution that challenges the status quo, that dismantles the patriarchal structures that enable such violence, and that builds a society where true independence means freedom for all, regardless of gender.


But to truly bring about change, we must address the root causes. We need to ask ourselves why our society is so tolerant of sexual violence. Why do we still cling to outdated notions of honour and shame that prevent victims from coming forward? Why do we continue to blame victims for the crimes committed against them? These questions are uncomfortable, but they are necessary. If we do not confront these issues head-on, we will never break free from the cycle of violence.


Education is a critical area where we must focus our efforts. Education in schools must go beyond the biological aspects of reproduction. It must include discussions on consent, respect, and healthy relationships. We must teach our children that no one has the right to violate another person’s body, that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. These lessons must start at a young age and continue throughout a child’s education.


But education alone is not enough. We must challenge the cultural norms and practices that perpetuate gender inequality. We must demand more representation of women in positions of power. We must create a society where women are valued for their contributions, not just their appearance. We should stop sensationalism of such cases. and, we must address the legal systems, governments and law enforcement agencies collective failure to address such issue and demand change, a complete overhaul.


In the end, the question is not whether rapists should be allowed to live or die; it is whether we, as a society, will allow this culture of violence to continue. The harshest punishments alone will not suffice; we need a deep, systemic change. We need to ask ourselves the uncomfortable questions, to confront the ugly truths, and to take responsibility for the world we have created. Only then can we hope to build a future where every woman, every person, can truly be free.


As we stand at this crossroads, we must decide what kind of society we want to be. Do we want to continue turning a blind eye to the suffering of millions of women? Or do we want to take a stand, to demand change, and to build a world where everyone is safe and free from violence? The choice is ours. But if we choose to do nothing, we must be prepared to live with the consequences. We must be prepared to look into the eyes of our daughters and sons and explain why we did not act when we had the chance.


By Vishesh Kashyap



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