“It is a cultural shock that how can our daughters speak such kind of language.”

the Honorable Prime Minister of India said.

If I may, can I ask our Prime Minister? Sir, don't you think raping women is a cultural shock?

The girl who identified herself as a 15-year-old , was at the centre of the controversy over abusive remarks against our Prime Minister issued a public apology after the incident. India Today reported that she identified herself as 15, while also noting that it could not independently verify her age or the authenticity of the apology video. I wonder what would happen if our responses were this prompt when they actually made a difference, making citizens feel safer.

The young girls of our country, whom we so proudly call daughters, face constant threats in their day-to-day lives. Your daughters are not safe, sir. Not on the way to work. Not on the way to a temple. Not in a park. Not on public transport. And not even in places where they should be safest.

And guess what? The measures taken by the government to prevent this inhuman act towards women are actually significant. These are some great measures. I agree. They can really be helpful in improving the state of women's safety. But why did it have to take young girls being raped for the government to reach this conclusion?

In the Aastha Kunj Park case, reports found inadequate lighting and gaps in CCTV coverage. Police officers also raised concerns about non-functional cameras and poorly lit stretches of the 142-acre park. Considering that the park's area, proper surveillance and policing were required. Parts of the park were pitch black, the perfect place for someone to commit a crime. Not one, but many cases like this.

A 16-year-old was allegedly raped and murdered in Swaroop Nagar. A 16-year-old was allegedly gang-raped on a moving bus between Greater Noida and Delhi. Why aren't public buses safe, sir? Again, measures were reiterated after a minor was allegedly raped. The Delhi government reiterated requirements including functional GPS tracking devices, panic buttons, adequate internal lighting, and restrictions on curtains and window films in buses.

The question arises: who will take a stand for women?

Women themselves.

Around 200 students from different colleges, including LSR, Miranda House, Gargi College and other Delhi University institutions, marched, addressing these rape cases and the many other difficulties they face on a daily basis. Students said that they were regularly morally policed and told to modify their behaviour and stop going out.

Why does this solution sound like a drunk person driving on the wrong lane, hitting someone, and then saying, “So ban that road and don't drive anymore”?

Absurd, right?

Then isn't staying at home equally absurd to you?

The day women stop being questioned and told to stay inside will be the day women will truly be free.

It should be a shame for our country that women still have to protest over the same fear that has existed for decades now.

India's 2024 average at more than 80 reported rape cases per day, based on National Crime Records Bureau data. I strongly believe that we have strict laws on sexual assault. Then why aren't these making enough of a difference?

The NCRB Report 2024 says over 4.4 lakh cases of crimes against women are registered annually in India, averaging roughly 51 FIRs every hour. (3A.1) Passing laws is one thing, but implementing them is another.

What does this say about our judicial body? Why isn't justice delivered in a timely manner?

Delhi, the capital city of India, has repeatedly faced serious concerns over women's safety. Every girl student considering Delhi for her dream college or dream job has a calculation she should never have to make: how much safety is she willing to risk for her dreams? They have to think because they don't want their education to cost them their life.

Delhi is called Dilwalon ki Delhi, but perhaps those songs and poetries are not for women. Because in order for them to be safe, they have to think twice. Not twice, but a hundred times.

If they're out for the day, is their clothing in any way too revealing? Is their phone charged so they can call their emergency contact? Is someone following them? Is the person behind them just waiting for someone, or waiting for one of the moments that could become one of the last moments of her life?

In a matter of a few days, we'll forget this ever happened and everyone will resort to celebrating Durga Puja and Navratri.

These are the festivals where women are worshipped, right?

We involve ourselves in these festivals, forgetting that in the same country where we worship goddesses, real women are still fighting for the basic freedom to exist without constantly calculating their safety.

There are many questions left unanswered.

Why are measures announced after the headlines appear?

Will the measures actually be implemented and maintained?

When will society stop blaming women?

But the most crucial question is this:

How many more women will have to become

symbols before women are allowed to simply remain people?