Guest column: Gang rape is heard of, but not mass molestation, says Pramila Nesargi

It’s never happened before. This is completely unheard of! Gang rape is heard of, but mass molestation? Never! I can’t even begin to imagine the psychological impact that it had on all the women, and the stress they are now under because of  society’s hypocrisy towards this kind of abuse. It is high time that the government took note of this and punished those responsible.

Thousands of women went to MG Road to celebrate the new year but found themselves molested instead. If we to blame partying, we must remember that parties are held  abroad too and women who go to them, enjoy themselves without fear of such abuse. They celebrate without fear or clinging on to a policeman for protection.

This was like the Jallianwalabagh massacre as the women had nowhere to run. The men behaved like unruly animals and left the women screaming for help. This does not say much for the police either as it could not protect the women despite having so many men on duty. Laws must become stringent and this issue must be raised in parliament. The behavior of these men shows a much darker side of our society and reveals that they haven’t been taught to respect women.  Men need to be raised better. We can’t blame western culture. We own our bodies and even if the body has needs, we must learn to control them. We are civilised humans, not animals. It could take a while to solve this problem as first we must study the psychology of our society and then make rules that will actually help keep it in order.
The writer is a lawyer, an educationist and women's rights activist.