Ring-Wing Group in India Attacks Women January 31, 2009 Jill Why? Because the women had the nerve to go out in public. Thanks to Claire for the video.
This may well have a religious side to it as well (possibly Hindus on Catholics, as Mangalore has a sizable Catholic minority)
YouTube says the video is no longer available. Though if this post is about what I think it’s about, UltraViolet has a great response up to it. Also, news stories with info about the incident and its aftermath can be found here, here and here.
This kind of moral policing is pretty common in India. And in progressive places too. The Chief Ministers of two States- AFTER this incident- have stated that “pub culture” is against “our culture” ( Karnataka, where this happened: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/We_will_not_allow_pub_culture_in_Karnataka_BSY/articleshow/4046929.cms The Health Minister of the country: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Pub_culture_against_Indian_ethos_must_stop_Ramadoss/articleshow/4054517.cms) The right wing groups calls itself a custodian of “Indian Culture” and as things are there- no one will be punished for this. All the accused got bail http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Mangalore/Pub_attack_All_accused_get_bail/articleshow/4057295.cms despite experts saying so http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Mangalore/Mangalore_molesters_dont_deserve_bail_say_experts/articleshow/4058565.cms Women’s rights groups thing this is anti-women http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Fuss_over_pub_culture_a_rant_against_women/articleshow/4055844.cms The government of the state is not cooperating with the national Commission for Women http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Pub_attack_NCW_accuses_Karnataka_of_non-cooperation/articleshow/4057838.cms
This is DISGUSTING! Who the hell do these people think they are that they could tell OTHER people what to do in their everyday lives!?!?! This kind of shit really frustrates me because it feels so hopeless to change such ignorant thoughts that turn into disgusting actions like this one.
What you have to keep in mind is that Indian’s have a very different culture. When they see people being beaten in the streets it is the norm to not act, call for help, or report the incident. The police system is corrupt, and justice is for those who can afford it. It is in this culture that animosity builds, frequent riots yearly, and violence erupts towards the defenseless minority groups. It’s a repeating pattern that gained it’s strongest foothold when Britain decolonized India and as an exit strategy incited religious groups against one-another.
Interesting phrasing to say “when Britain decolonized India” instead of when India kicked them the fuck out. Just shows what perspective Samuel is coming from. And he is absolutely wrong. Acts of violence are abhorred in India, and many people here are outraged at this incident. Even if they don’t agree that these women should be going to pubs, they believe the violence was repugnant. There is are two interesting campaigns going on to respond to this incident: the Pink Chaddi Campaign and the Pub Bharo action. Check out the Consortium of Pub-going, Loose and Forward Women for more details.