Rape, Molestation Are On Rise Around Us... But Hey! Let's Carry On With the "Whataboutery"!

Every time someone expresses one's concern over how women in our country are ceaselessly facing the evils of rape, molestation and discrimination, they are unabashedly ridiculed by a large host of people who come with the absurd whataboutery to counter legit arguments against misogyny and harassment.

Anyway, certain numbers have come forward through the minister of state for home affairs revealing the horrible truth which the enemies of womankind are bent on denying.

As many as 140 cases of rape and 238 cases of molestation were registered by Delhi Police in January this year alone, of which 43 and 133 cases respectively remain unsolved. 

The number of rape cases registered in 2016 was 2,155, of which 291 were unsolved, while there were 4,165 molestation cases of which 1,132 are unsolved. 

There were 36 rape cases registered against Delhi Police personnel in the years 2014, 2015 and 2016. Of these, 28 were registered in Delhi and 8 in other states. While two of these cases were cancelled or quashed, in six cases there were aquittals while 28 cases are pending trial or investigation. 

Ninety cases of molestation and 9 cases of eve-teasing were also registered against Delhi Police personnel in these three years. 

The details were tabled in the Rajya Sabha by minister of state for home affairs Hans Raj Ahir during Question Hour. 

According to the details provided by the minister, 51 cases of eve-teasing were registered, of which 25 remain unsolved. 

“The reasons for unsolved cases vary from case to case. However, some of the main reasons include non- identification of the accused person, stay on the arrest of the accused by courts, insufficient evidence or the accused person is absconding and not traceable,” the minister said.

-Report by PTI 

 

BSF Jawan's Video Triggers Government Probes

Recently, a video clip featuring a BSF soldier attained "viral" status in social media platforms, particularly Facebook and Twitter, owing to the bitter revelations the jawan seemed to lay before the eyes of the world. Complaining of poor food and facilities despite having to guard the borders amidst harsh conditions, the video showed a sorry condition of our Border Security Force soldiers. 

Responding to the nationwide outrage that followed the circulation of the video clip, the government stepped in to pacify the people, saying that they will look into the matter, and that the welfare of the country's soldiers shall be looked after. 

Hardly had Home minister Rajnath Singh ordered an inquiry into the matter, that another report broke into news, according to which civilians living near paramilitary forces' camps, particularly those of the Border Security Force (BSF), said that officers engage in selling fuel and food provisions meant for the personnel to outsiders at half the market rate.

However, the claims and the outrage were put to rest to some extent once Rajnath Singh and Kiren Rijiju cleared the air by posting a photo of themselves alongside BSF officials, with the caption saying this: 

"We have taken serious note of the video posted by a BSF Jawan complaining poor food quality. The welfare of our Security Forces are in top priority. Rajnath Singh ji or I regularly enquire about the welfare of jawans while visiting the border posts. We found our jawans satisfied with the facilities but strong action will be taken if any anomaly is found."

Some angst still remains, though, following how BSF stated that the soldier in the video, a certain constable Tej Bahadur Yadav, was a habitual offender of absenteeism and a chronic alcoholic and misbehaved with superior officers.

The government, however, has assured that the matter will not be overlooked or left unaddressed. Union minister of state for home, Kiren Rijiju has revealed that the Centre has sent teams of expert dietitians to border posts to ascertain the quality of food being served to security personnel.

He further added that the Centre has already instituted a brigadier-level probe into the allegations though the videos are yet to be verified. “I appeal to the media not to make an issue out of a video which is yet to be verified. We have taken the matter very seriously,” Rijiju said.

Moreover, on Wednesday the BSF submitted a second report regarding the matter to the home ministry, stating that the ‘dal’ shown in Yadav's video was uncanned from tinned food ration and the ‘parantha’ was cooked in the unit mess as per procedures followed at high-altitude locations.

The report has also confirmed that there are certain shortcomings that need to be mended. These include cooking and supply of food in a hygienic and stipulated quantity as per established rules.

A final report by the BSF, looking into Yadav's allegations is yet to be submitted.