Gujarati women’s plight in a so-called ‘Vibrant Gujarat’

Where are women to go in today's Gujarat?

Between Ahmedabad being named the third in the country in crimes against women, our women the third most abused by husbands and the state itself rating the fifth highest in crimes against women, we are vibrant in questionable ways. And with the police complicit in the crime, making money on the side or indifferent, where do women go?

Here are two stories from the immediate past, i.e. the last few weeks.

My maid was married at 16, a mother at 17. The first child is a girl. Her husband started beating her nearly from the start of the marriage. He broke her ear drum and some ribs. He tried to burn her to death.

After the birth of a son, he forced her to go to work. Then he beat her because he accused her of befriending men at the factory.

Soon he started living with another woman, coming home only to beat and have his clothes washed. She bore it but as soon as her daughter was 16, she married her off in the false hope that this would let her escape from the violence. Wrong.

The cycle repeated itself and at 17, the daughter was home with a girl child of her own. Working with me over the last three years, I have seen her come to work with a black eye and a broken spirit, with hair pulled out from the roots by a husband who has sponged off her for ten years.

Three weeks ago, I put my foot down. I insisted that she go to the police station with a colleague and file a case of domestic violence. After much cajoling she did. They were looked at with disdain. Several policemen suggested that she forget about it.

Then she was told that the PI, the only one allowed to register a case wouldn't be back till 8 pm. The next day she went back. The PI tried to dissuade her. "Nothing will come of it".

She insisted, with an RTI activist giving her courage, and the case was registered. That night a policeman came and asked questions of her and her daughter. The husband was absent. Then nothing. I had my office call several times. “Yes, we will send someone.”

Finally, a few days ago a call was received asking if her husband was home. No, he wasn't. Call us when he comes and we will come for him. It is now weeks and the pressure builds all around her to withdraw. And the police remain absent. She can be beaten or killed any time. Who should she turn to? Bhanuben Parmar is an activist fighting against trafficking.

She was aware of a huge sex racket on the Tarapur Bagodra highway in the many small hotels. She complained to the Tarpur police. She told them about the wide spread prevalence of HIV. No action was taken. A couple of days ago, with others from the NGO INSAF they raided Prithvi hotel and found three girls waiting for customers.

Tarapur police station was informed. "We are short of staff and can't send anyone" they were told. They knew that the hotel belonged to the Sarpanch's son and that the police were most likely cohorts.

After they put a lot of pressure, the police arrested the three girls and filed a false report saying that they had picked them up from a theatre so as to let the hotel owner free. Banuben has since been threatened by the owner, a fact that was told to the police but brought the same insouciance. The activists have now informed the NCW but that is another story.

I remember our CM telling all Gujarat's women that they can sleep safe as their brother will guard over them. All they needed to do was to write him a postcard.

From the Patan rape case till today, crimes against women, society's lack of interest in them and the police's unwillingness or inability to take charge have meant hell for our women. With courts backed up for twenty or more years and the government and administration caring a jot, all women can do is, like Draupadi, pray to Krishna - or learn karate and kick people where it hurts.