Deadly Silence of #AwardWapasi Brigade over #KeralaDalitsUnderAttack

The recent murder of the Dalit girl Jisha in Kerala, in the most gruesome manner, reminding society of Delhi’s Nirbhaya rape has yet again, has posed the same set of questions before the ruling UDF-LDF. Why is the state government silent over the matter of women’s security, inspite of alarming rising numbers? How many Delhi styled rapes in Kerala will actually wake our leaders and politicians into framing stringent laws and taking measures necessary for ensuring women’s safety and security?
Jisha’s murder has yet again exposed the plight of a society that boasts of 100 percent literacy. Staying along with her mother in a one room shed, which has been labeled house, Jisha’s humble dwelling is situated in ‘purampokku bhumi’ or Government outer land, with no security what so ever. This reflects the insecure plight of scores of women, who reside in shanties and dwellings with absolutely no security, deprived of sleep and tormented by fear of being raped at night. They continue to be neglected by various state governments that have ruled Kerala.

Even more disturbing is the awareness that those numerous feminists and human rights activities who have clamoured baselessly for issues like women’s entry into Sabarimala have remained mysteriously tight lipped over this matter. Not a murmur has risen till date from these self styled activists, when laws and measures related to women’s security are the utmost need of the hour. The attitude, like all other serious issues that have rocked the state, have yet again exposed the double standards of the ruling- opposition class.

In spite of being one of the most brutal and shocking murders ever witnessed by Kerala society, the silence maintained by mainstream media is disgusting. The same has all the patience and time to follow the solar scam accused political pimp Sarita Nair, lustfully waiting for her CDs that claims to ensnare many political leaders of the state. Any remote crime reported in the northern states of the country finds space in prime slots of Kerala’s media houses which have conveniently chosen to ignore a matter as serious and heinous as rape.

Post-mortem report of the thirty-year-old law student reveals thirty wounds on her body. Latest reports state that autopsy reports reveal “she was beaten savagely by a stranger/s using a sharp weapon that pulled out her intestines. More than 30 injuries were found on her body. The victim suffered stab wounds on her chest, chin, and neck and back of her head. Two sides of her chest were pierced to almost two inches deep using a sharp knife. She was also struck in the genitals with an iron rod. A severe injury on her head is cited as the main reason of her death.” However, Kerala’s media houses have had little time to even ponder over the matter, leave alone hold atleast a one hour discussion related to the same. It is verification of the Prime Minister’s academic credentials which stands of greater importance to them.
The deafening reticence being maintained by ruling political class of the state stands equally dubious. Even with almost a week having passed by, police continue to grope in the dark regarding the matter. This callous attitude by government and administrative heads, along with sporadic instances of protests being showcased by Kerala’s opposition parties has infuriated people. The Left, which created a furor over the death of Rohit Vemula in distant Andhra is conveniently and hypocritically silent when it comes to all Dalit deaths in Kerala.

Same has been the attitude of all these sections regarding the recent rape of other Dalit women in the state, be it the girl who was put in fetters and subject to the brutality or the girl who was continuously gang raped for months in Attingal. Did we see self styled feminist intellectual liberal of Kerala Sarah Joseph speaking of returning awards when the Dalit Principal of Victoria College in Palakkad was served a symbolic ‘grave’ as a ‘retirement gift’ by a few students whose ideology stands steeped in Communism or when a Dalit girl student was driven to the edge of suicide by her Marxist college-mates?

Such instances form only the tip of the iceberg, with investigations slowly commencing as part of the ruling front’s desperate bid to save its face during election heat. The state has indeed witnessed many such investigations. But where have they reached? Like many investigations, this one too will meet its demise in the near future, thanks to the enthusiasm and interference shown by the state’s ruling fronts. Both UDF and LDF which seek votes from citizens of Kerala by promising better future for the state’s down trodden or security to their women folk, must introspect about the extent to which their words sound shallow to the voting class.

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