Narendra Modi blames ‘perverted male mentality’ for the rise in sex crimes against women

Say what you will about Narendra Modi but no other politician in the country right now understands the public consciousness better than he does. On Friday, the Gujarat CM and PM hopeful blamed the 'pe

By: Admin | | Updated: October 3, 2013 11:31 am

Say what you will about Narendra Modi but no other politician in the country right now understands the public consciousness better than he does. On Friday, the Gujarat CM and PM hopeful blamed the ‘perverted male mentality’ for the growing crimes against women and sought for a change in our thinking. Real men he claimed protected and respected women. Speaking at public rally at the newly formed Chota Udaipur district in Gujarat, the shrewd politician didn’t blame short dresses, drinking, porn, liberal-thinking women, Poonam Pandey, Western values, the heavenly bodies or any of the other scapegoats other politicians turn to explain the rising tide of sexual crimes against women. For once the blame was led firmly on the ‘perverted male mentality’. Also Read - Coronavirus vaccine could be ready for India in few weeks, says PM Modi

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Of course he evoked the ancient image of India as the land of Sita and Savitri but he said that the safety of women was a big concern. Not holding back, he blamed the UPA’s inability to curb the growing violence against women, incidents which he claimed shocked a country known for its innate culture of chivalry. It’s also believed that he asked the BJP not to openly support shamed godman Asaram Bapu who was receiving some support from BJP’s party leaders in Madhya Pradesh after he was accused of molesting a minor girl. Also Read - International Yoga Day 2020: Pranayama can boost immunity to fight COVID-19, says PM Narendra Modi

India – no country for women

On Independence Day, I had written an article asking why after 67 years of sending our colonial rulers back we couldn’t have an iota of sexual freedom. Sadly, today I realise that the answer isn’t sexual freedom but women’s equality. The concept of women being equals doesn’t exist in India. Our patriarchal mindset simply doesn’t allow men to consider women at par with them. How can they, considering for the better part of their lives they’ve seen their mothers, aunts and daughters doing all the household work while their fathers and brothers just sat there? Or when they’re bought anything their heart desires while their sister isn’t allowed the same luxuries? Or when a girl’s entire life is treated like a liability who has to be found a match and married away as soon as possible?

The problem isn’t porn or Western values but our deeply entrenched belief that women aren’t equal. It’s not a phenomenon exclusive to the poorer sections of society and most educated households display the same beliefs and notions. In the long term, the only way to end such heinous crimes is teaching boys that women are humans and equals. Until we do that we will never stop such sex crimes. As staunch feminist Germaine Greer had said all those years ago, rape has nothing to do with sex whatsoever but men just re-enacting their belief that they have the complete right over a woman her body, her decisions and her life. Read more…

Published : August 31, 2013 11:39 am | Updated:October 3, 2013 11:31 am

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