Bangalore Molestation Case: Modern Keechakas in India!
- In
- 09:25 PM, Jan 07, 2017
- Prakash Ranganath
Recent molestation of young women by some young men on New Year's Eve in Bangalore was an example of appalling human character and conduct. Will it be the last time? Doubt it very much. Actions of these young men is comparable to that of Keechaka of Mahabharata. It's said of the epic compiled by the venerable Vyasa that you can't find anything anywhere which hasn't already been dealt within the epic. Moreover it's also said that, what's not in the epic is not found anywhere else.
Keechaka was the general in King Virat's kingdom where the Pandavas had to spend their 13th year of banishment incognito. Most Indians know the tale very well. Keechaka intoxicated in his sense of power & accomplishments thought that he could've his way with any woman. Draupadi, the wife of Pandavas was his unfortunate victim. Being incognito, she was working as a maid to the queen who was Keechaka's sister. The king was unable to reign in the general, resulting in making the latter absolutely powerful. Keechaka wanted to have Draupadi for himself. In spite of her refusals, he persisted and came in her way all the time, by stalking her. Annoyed she approached her husbands and a plot was hatched to get rid of him. Bhim & Arjun collaborated and killed Keechaka.
That's the story and it's relevant today as many of our young men have Keechaka Drishti (vision). They're probably intoxicated in their own sense of power and youthful energies. Misunderstanding Western culture adds to the situation. Such incidents don't happen in the West even in crowded situations. A study confirms that teen years are the most impressionable. Teen brains soak in anything. If directed to consumption of drugs or alcohol, it's reported that they can consume far more than people in their 30s or 40s.
Impressions gathered in these years last a lifetime; so does knowledge. In an effort to modernize, we've put cellphones in everyone's hands. Making them skillful would've been more helpful for both individuals & the nation. As a result, pornography reaches the youth through these instruments, before morality & spirituality. Unlike the West, most Indian youth don't work during school years. Most Western youth work to pay for their tuitions. So they don't have time for mischief. Moreover there are very few well paying "manly" jobs or opportunities in India. You can have a decent & honest life as a construction worker in the West. Because such opportunities aren't available, young men get into soft & cushy jobs like telemarketing, for instance. If you bend your back & sweat a little, you get tired and don't have the initiative to stay awake late at night to get into trouble. Somehow our society doesn't seem to encourage this attitude. It's said Bangalore is a safe city. It was, till 1970s; not anymore. Rapid development & "pub" culture has spoiled it all.
Young women today are well educated to get into well-paying jobs & careers. They feel the need to go out & enjoy. A little pragmatism & prudence will go a long way to keep them safe. Some have argued, that it's their right in a democratic India and the state should defend them. How safe are they from the predators on the streets? TV panel debates will pit competing political parties for a few days till something else happens. The harassed women will suffer the memories they've endured for a lifetime. With use of CCTV cameras & other means it's possible to round up few young men and then the court cases will drag on. The women must understand that the police can only do so much. Even in the West, police might respond quickly, but all cases don't get solved. Perpetrators of chain or purse snatching or car & house break-ins are rarely caught. In some cases, serial offenders are apprehended after several years.
Overall a prayerful attitude is missing in many people's lives. They're caught in unnecessary debates & actions. Perhaps liberal attitudes, economic goals & improper role models are responsible. After a long time we've a prime minister in Modi, who finds time to go to various temples to offer prayers. Perhaps he's praying for the nation. Hopefully he'll succeed!
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