Protecting and Respecting Women

 Protecting and Respecting Women: A Call to Awaken India's Conscience ~ Hitheish Arjun

India, our beloved Bharat Mata, is a land rich in culture, history, and spiritual values. We proudly refer to our nation as "Mother India," and in our tradition, women are revered as goddesses. From the fierce Durga to the nurturing Lakshmi, we hold these divine figures in the highest regard, symbolising power, purity, and the essence of life itself. Yet, there is a heartbreaking contradiction that plagues our society today—a deep and growing crisis that we cannot ignore any longer.

In recent times, the news has been filled with tragic reports of sexual violence against women, from the youngest of girl children to the oldest of grandmothers. These heinous acts are not just crimes against individuals but a collective assault on the very soul of our nation. They represent a betrayal of the values that we, as Indians, claim to uphold—a respect for womanhood that is ingrained in our traditions, scriptures, and everyday life.

How did we reach this point? How did we, as a society, allow such barbarism to seep into our homes, streets, and minds? It is time for us to confront these questions with honesty and urgency.

The answer lies not just in the failures of law enforcement or the judicial system, though these are certainly critical factors. It lies deeper, in the social and cultural fabric of our nation. We need to acknowledge the uncomfortable truth that despite our reverence for goddesses, many in our society continue to view women as lesser beings, as objects to be controlled, dominated, or exploited. This toxic mindset is perpetuated by outdated beliefs, gender biases, and a lack of education about the value of women and girls.

To truly honour the spirit of Bharat Mata, we must urgently address these attitudes. Every Indian must awaken to the reality that the safety and dignity of women are not just women's issues—they are human issues. They are the issues that define the very moral foundation of our society.

This change must start in our homes, with the way we raise our children.

Boys must be taught to respect women from an early age, and girls must be empowered to know their worth and stand up for their rights. Schools, communities, and religious institutions must reinforce these values, 

creating environments where respect and equality are not just taught but lived.

We must also demand more from our leaders and institutions. Laws against sexual violence must be strictly enforced, and those who commit these atrocities must be held accountable without delay. But more than that, we need a cultural shift—a collective commitment to building a society where women can live without fear, where their contributions are valued, and where their safety is guaranteed.

The time to act is now. We can no longer afford to be passive bystanders, watching as more and more of our sisters, mothers, daughters, and grandmothers fall victim to violence. Each of us has a role to play in creating a safer, more just society.

As Indians, we must remember that our strength lies not just in our traditions but in our ability to evolve and uphold the true values they teach us. Let us rise to the challenge, honor the spirit of Bharat Mata, and create a future where every woman in India can live with dignity, respect, and safety.

Our nation, our motherland, demands nothing less.

HITHEISH ARJUN.