The Politics of Rape

Beena,

What IS the problem?

It is one of empowerment and education. If the poor are to get an education that informs them of their rights and have the power to influence their own lives through honest elections where their voices can be heard, would these practices be still in effect a hundred years later?

When something along these lines happen today in rural India, as they still do, there is at least the threat of expulsion from caste and social ostracism in case one doesn`t accept the verdict of the panchayat. One would think that in egalitarian Islam there is no scope for caste and tribal loyalties to play a similar threatening role.

On the other hand, when the State turns a blind eye toward these panchayats and the police collude with the rich and the powerful with no fear of disciplinary action from the State, you can expect these abuses will continue.

It is very sad to read these things. We must do more to help each other or we will be finished.