It finally happened.
More-the-Marine-Drive-rapist/cop got 12 years. Which is what, 5 years less than the age of his victim?
Some might rejoice – after all, not only has a rapist recieved a prison term for his crime, the whole thing came about in just about a year’s time. A phenomenal achievement for the Indian judiciary system. Despite the criminal being a cop and everything. But here are a few false notes in this particular symphony:
Mumbai Mirror asked 5 Mumbaikars if they thought the prison term was fair. 2 (women) thought it was just, one of them even saying that he should have been put to death. More (pun unintended) on that later. 2 (men) thought it was a fair sentence. And 1 (man) thought it was unfair, and maybe he didn’t even commit the crime. Extending this average, 1 out of 5 Mumbaikars feels that Sunil More got more than he deserved. Despite the minor fact that the whole thing took place in broad daylight in the middle of a police-chowky, in one of the busiest areas in Mumbai.
In the trial itself, More said that he’d be better off with a death penalty instead of the 12-year term, adding that he has been victimised by the police, the politicians and the media. Obviously, who else could possibly be a victim other than an alcoholic rapist?
Despite a 12-year sentence, Mid-Day reports that adding up the time he’s already served under trial and the time he’ll get in sundry remissions, More might just serve a 7 year prison term. And justice will prevail.
But here’s the icing on the cake. Last evening a news channel reported that More has a six month old daughter. His wife’s greatest worry is, when her child grow up, how will she possibly explain to her, what and where her father is. Now that’s a conversation you want to have with a 6-year old: “Sweetie, you know how you keep asking where your father is? Well, today I’m going to tell you a little story about rape.”
So what do we blame it all on this time? Temptation? Alcohol? Or, of course, the girl’s dressing sense? Years ago, a girl was raped outside a bar in the U.S. The rapist’s explanation? She was asking for it. To which an American comic responded “Sure pal, maybe she was. But she wasn’t asking for it from you.” Good point, I feel. But useless in India, Because in a culture that is hypocritical enough to shun sex, despite a history of Khajuraho and Kamasutra, sexuality will always be repressed. Men will always be tempted. And women will never be careful enough. So go ahead, girl, cover yourself up from top to toe. Undressing you mentally isn’t a crime after all.
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