What do they want (Protests in Dec. 2012 in India)

2012: What do ‘they’ want? [दिल्ली की दिसंबर 2012 की घटना के बारे में ]

This is the question I came across with many of my friends when I traveled from South to North and back during 3^rd and 4^th week of December 2012.  It was about the protests in Delhi (later spread in the country) after the brutal incident of 16^th Dec. 2012 on the streets of Delhi in a running bus.

The protests  begun with the slogans such as “ we want JUSTICE” or “Meri skirt se unchi meri aawaaz hai ("मेरी स्कर्ट से ऊँची मेरी आवाज़ है) ”, “Nazar Teri Buri aur Parda Main Karun? (नज़र तेरी  बुरी  और  पर्दा   मैं  करूँ ?)” etc. etc.  The protests followed with closure of 10 Metro stations in Delhi, lathi charge, tear gas, water spray by police on the protesters; even death of one police constable.  India gate remained closed and I had to negotiate my way in Delhi for a change over on Monday, 24^th Dec.

One of the news (that came to light later), I came across was that just before the main incidence, the perpetrators robbed a daily worker and dropped him near IIT Delhi gate.  The robbed man went to one of the police stations to report the incidence. Had the police started a swift action on this incidence, the subsequent events could have been avoided.   

Photograph on the right shows the mood of the nation (Headline: A young woman dies, a nation mourns) through a National newspaper (The HINDU is an established old National newspaper) after the death of the girl.

So, besides the delay in the judicial system, it is the daily life of individuals in India that is at the stake.  The brutal event behind these protests confirms the fact that the daughters in India can even be killed even on the streets of metro with no fault of theirs!  The police and the security system is just a mute spectator.  Worst still, the police could actually be against you at times, with several hidden reasons.  This is in contrast with the west, where if you go to police, you would have found the best protection on the earth!   In India, no one would even approach the police due to fear of harassment at a later date.  People at least have respect  for the Traffic police, as these are visible on the streets for a good cause and make people follow rules.  
 

Therefore, what "they" want now is “Police must be paid & trained well and trained to act secular in India. Citizen be educated to respect all on ‘war footing’.” 

Prem, Dec. 30, 2012