I am allowed to whistle at that crossing girl. I am allowed to caress her back in the crowded bus. I am allowed to touch her if she is a few shots down. I am allowed to blame my desperation on her mini skirt. I am an Indian man, and I am allowed to rape.

Congratulations to each and every Indian man for being a proud citizen of the world’s largest democracy. It is scintillating how culturally diverse our great country is. Indian-origin CEOs are ruling the world. Foreign industry giants are turning towards us with billions of dollars. Courtesy Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), we have even managed to reach the Mars orbit. Gigantic as these feats are, the Indian man has somehow turned a blind eye to the existence of one major section — The Indian Woman.

Indian men are deemed smart. Their extraordinary dodging abilities help prove the quality. Did a foreigner get raped in India? Blame the western culture, and leave the man out of it. Did an Indian get raped? Blame the politicians, and leave the man out of it. Did a Muslim get raped by Hindus or a Hindu by Muslims? Blame the religion, and leave the man out of it. Every time such an incident happens, just log into your social media accounts and witness the blame game. You will find sections being blamed and societies being thrashed, but rarely will you find dirt on the man who did it.

Indian media have their fair bit of contribution in “shield the man, accuse the rest” campaign. They do not miss an opportunity to put on repeat the closeups of raped women and tactically manage to skip the rapist. After all, it is the bruised face that boosts their TRP. Every mishappening in India brings with itself an opportunity for caste, religion and politics to take the centre stage. Political parties are on their toes to find filth on their rivals. Privileged castes are quick to cry foul at the subdued ones. Being from one religion supposedly allows you to hunt a girl from another religion down. While these groups get busy doing their chores, the man is free to hit the road for more possible victims.

Feminism, as per dictionary, is the advocacy of women’s rights on the basis of the equality of sexes. Can it work in India? NO. To be able to talk of equality, you first have to be able to live. For an Indian girl out on the streets, there is no guarantee of her returning back safely. Only after that war is won can we even contemplate the idea of equality. Just open your Instagram accounts and search for #feminism. You will find posts talking of a girl building her own big castles. You will find an inspirational story of a woman who served as the Marine Brigadier General. Unsurprisingly, not a single one of them is Indian. Those girls did what they did because they did not have to worry about the man waiting to destroy them.

How can an Indian girl expect to be treated equally if her own father abuses her and threatens to burn her alive at her refusal to tie the knot with a stranger?

Feminism is a good concept, but does not work in India. A candle march after every rape is nothing but an opportunity for masses to click selfies. We can neither turn to police nor politicians, as most of them are busy shielding the man. Educating the masses is not a solution either. Literacy rate in India is improving steadily, but so are the rapes. Can something be done? If you are a woman and have the means to shift abroad, pack your bags and leave. You deserve better. Can something be done for the ones left behind? Expecting the man to help would be a terrible mistake. Learn martial arts and kick some balls. Carry a knife and learn to put it to throat (do not slit it for god’s sake). Human eyes do not like Chilli powder. Carry a packet. Sad as it may sound, you, the woman, have to step up and fight for yourself, because the man has failed you.

In medieval times, the phrase “You’re the man” talked about physical traits In olden times, “You’re the man” used to be a compliment These days “You’re the man” feels like nothing but a humiliating insult

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