In 2008, Delhi reported 330 cases of rape/molestation. In the same period, New York recorded 700 cases of sexual assault. Excuse me if I am insensitive, but the next time an American girl alleges that her modesty was outraged in the third world country that India is, please tell all Americans to set their house in order first. Better still, tell American media to exercise ‘restraint’ in reporting such ‘isolated’ incidents. Every time, Indian media reports an incident of violence against Indian students Down Under, the common refrain one hears is that Indians are the biggest racists themselves. Excuse me again.
North India, they say, is steeped in colour prejudice. Fair is lovely, eh. That makes India racist? How many times have you heard a south Indian being stabbed on the street owing to his complexion? A lot has been said about people from Bihar being discriminated against in Maharashtra. People will like to bring racial undertones to that as well. Barring a few politically motivated incidents, don’t we have a history of largely peaceful coexistence? According to the Eight Schedule, India is home to 22 languages. A country as big as India – 28 states and seven Union territories – can’t be totally free from caste and religious segmentation.
It’s said that people from North-East are derided as Chinkis and students from Africa are made fun off on our campuses. How many are actually bashed up, their vehicles torched or their homes set on fire?
“Curry Bashing" – interesting name. They say if students prowl the streets during un-earthly hours, they are easily prone to getting mugged, beaten up or shot. Now, where did I hear that? It sounds so similar to the maniacs from Sri Ram Sene – if women wear skimpy clothes, they are bound to get molested.
Introspect. Don’t lament, criticise or condemn. Indian media has apparently gone overboard while reporting facts of gory violence in Australia. Restraint. Gandhian philosophy will do here, don’t see, hear or speak evil. Exercise restraint. Indian media has obviously overreached itself by reporting the lot of students who made Australia their home – permanent or temporary – hoping for a better life. Tell that to the parents of Kamal Jit, who was brutally assaulted twice in a fortnight. Or tell that to all the anxious relatives whose loved ones are caught in the crossfire Down Under. Restraint.
Flashback to New Year Eve. A Swedish teenager is molested at a party at Kochi. A number of tourists are also heckled. Three foreign women report sexual harassment in Goa. A BBC report on one of the British women raped in Goa states: “She is just one victim among thousands. The numbers are horrifying. On average across India there are 53 rapes a day, and recently released government statistics suggest that it is the fastest growing crime in the country.” Restraint.
On May 28, Indian passengers of flight AF025 that was flying to Mumbai from Washington via Paris accused the airline of ill-treating them. The Indian passengers who missed their connecting flight after the aircraft departed late from Washington were treated with just bottle of water and half a sandwich for 13 hours confined in the lounge. However, the passengers said that people with American passports where provided with transit visas and accommodation. On May 15, about 50 passengers who were flying Air France had alleged that they were the victims of racial profiling. Restraint.
Every time, Indian media pens any mischief orchestrated by Australian cricketers, they are promptly reminded of the Symonds-Bhajji ‘monkey’ saga. The matter remains unresolved. It’s Sachin Tendulkar’s word against Mathew Hayden. But no, Bhajji will never get a clean chit, Symonds of course is a great player (but not responsible enough to play for Australia in the World Cup). Sreesanth will be forever derided for his antics on the field. In 1999, Glen McGrath – arguably the world’s best bowler -- notoriously got away with spitting at West Indies player Griffith. Again, it was the Australians’ word against the Windies. Might is right, or WHITE IS RIGHT, is it?
But who am I to complain? You never know, my ‘racist’ dad may well be looking for a ‘gori’ girl for me.
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