Rape victims’ fight for justice should make rapists ashamed of themselves: Bhanwari Devi

Rape victims’ fight for justice should make rapists ashamed of themselves: Bhanwari Devi

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, March 8, 2013:“There is no need for the victims of rape to be ashamed of; instead  they  should fight for justice and make the rapists ashamed of themselves, said Bhanwari Devi from Rajasthan, the main force behind the Supreme Court’s  Vishaka judgement wherein the court defined sexual harassment at workplace, and issued preventive measures and redress mechanism.

She was speaking after inaugurating a public meeting convened at the Karavali Utsav Ground here on March 8, Friday, as part of International Women’s Day. The meet was held under the  joint aegis of nearly 100 organisations from Mangalore, Bangalore and the rest of the State in association with Forum against Atrocities on Women and Network of Women’s  Organisations.

 

 Recollecting her horrendous past, she said she was raped by a gang of 5 men, when she was working along with her husband in the field.”The Rajasthan Court did not provide justice to me, but it was the Vishaka judgement, a result of my relentless effort, that eventually helped me,” she pointed out. Bhanwari Devi also recalled how she was offered Rs 25,000 to close the case, but she opted for justice instead. She said she will continue her crusade for justice to women.

Sushila Nada, President of Koraga Community, who also spoke, said atrocities against women can end only when they stand up united and join hands with the women’s rights associations in their fight for justice.

Author-novelist Saara Aboobakkar,  made a comparison between the situation in Kerala and  Karnataka and pointed out how women in Kerala would take to streets if any woman is taken to custody, whereas  in Dakshina Kannada  girls are taken to police stations even over minor complaints.

Sukri Bommana Gowda, folk  artiste said that women instead of supporting any party or  patronising their caste or creed, must  support their gender and create a situation where men respect every women in society.

Litterateur Vaidehi presided over the event. Gulabi Bilimale of Forum against Atrocities on Women welcomed the guests and gathering.

Members of various organizations namely  Apoline Gomes, Rathi Ra, Mamatha, Sharanamma, Jayalakshmi BR, Ruth Manorama, Shahnaz, Neela, Nisha, Gauri, Ratnamma, Satya, Bhagirathi, Meera Nayak, Sumalatha Suvarna, Sunitha and many others spoke on the occasion.

Members of women’s organisations rendered many pro women songs, which enthralled the gathered at the venue.

Prior to the public meeting, the organisations participated in a mass silent rally taken out from Bunt’s Hostel Circle to Karavali Circle ground.