Men judging the character of a woman because of her smoking or drinking habits or because of her wearing short clothes or tight clothes while they themselves bond over a ‘joint’ or drinks, or be unapologetic for having sex is very much common here.
Such topics are often seen and trolled upon twitter or facebook or WhatsApp, you even disagree with them in some of the articles. But what would happen if some of these personal biases enter the justice system of the country, what will happen to the fundamental rights of a woman?
Recently in Punjab and Haryana High Court, three convicts of gangrape, blackmail, and other offenses have been released on bail. The case had been going on for 2 years for blackmailing and other offenses and the convicts were found guilty but the judges came to an alternative conclusion about the case where the “promiscuous attitude” of the victim was the cause of her case.
The judges established that a pack of cigarettes was found in her possession.
“The entire crass sequence actually is reflective of a degenerative mindset of the youth breeding denigrating relationships mired in drugs, alcohol, casual sexual escapades and a promiscuous and voyeuristic world.”
“The testimony of the victim does offer an alternate story of casual relationship with her friends, acquaintances, adventurism, and experimentation in sexual encounters and these factors would, therefore, offer a compelling reasons to consider the prayer for suspension of sentence favourably particularly when the abused themselves are young and the narrative does not throw up gut-wrenching violence, that normally precede or accompany such incidents,” the order says, in a textbook example of victim shaming.
“It would be a travesty if these young minds are confined to jail for an inordinate long period which would deprive them of their education, opportunity to redeem themselves and be a part of the society as normal beings. Long incarceration of this stage when the appeal is not likely to mature for some time is likely to result in an irreparable damage…” the judges continue.
(bar and bench)
When men are found having cigarettes, then it is them bonding over ‘joints’ and is totally fine, but when a woman has a cigarette, then she has no morals and she is not a good mother and what not. Recently the actress, Mahira KHan was trolled and criticised for being seen having cigarettes with a man. She was not condemned on the fact that nicotine is harmful or cigarettes will cause her harm, but she was condemned on the fact that she is not a good mother and has no morals. The social media took the trolling to great heights!
Why is the society so hypocritic? When it comes to man, it is fine, if they are having drinks or smoking but when a woman is found doing something, her character comes under scrutiny?
What would it take for the people to understand that if a woman is smoking, doesn’t in any possible way it means that she is asking anyone to force themselves upon her. It is her will to have a smoke and living in a free country she has the right, as many men do, to smoke or do whatever she wants. If men can roam freely and drink and smoke without the fear of getting raped, then why can’t women?
Why this hypocrisy?
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