A Nation’s Irony: Worshipping Goddesses, Failing Women

There is a Sanskrit saying that translates to: “God resides where women are respected.” In reality, this often doesn’t hold true.

The events of 2012 were a painful reminder of the deep issues within our society. The horrific incident that occurred should never have happened, yet it did, revealing our failure to protect the vulnerable. Twelve years later, it’s disheartening to see that we haven’t made much progress. Despite the outrage, protests, and promises for change, it seems we’ve learned very little. As a society, we have failed to evolve in meaningful ways.

The irony is glaring and deeply troubling. In a country where the feminine form is worshipped and where we have a woman as the head of state, nearly half of our population — women — still lives in fear due to the actions of some men. We aspire to be a global leader, yet we struggle to ensure safety for everyone within our own borders. How can we aim for global greatness if we can’t guarantee basic safety and dignity for our citizens?

The recent incident is another tragic example of this failure. What makes it even worse is that we only seem to react when things reach a crisis point. It’s as if we’ve become desensitized to the everyday harassment that women and girls face. Most women have experienced unwanted touches, intrusive stares, being followed, or even worse at some point in their lives. They may also have felt anxiety when, for example, a cab driver takes an unfamiliar route, prompting them to share their location with family or friends. These experiences are often dismissed or ignored, and we fail to recognize the lasting trauma they can cause.

News reports show that these terrible acts happen to all kinds of women — young girls in simple dresses, professional women, elderly women, and even nuns in religious attire. This demonstrates that the issue is not with what women wear or how they act. The problem lies with the mindset of those who commit these acts. It’s not about the victims; it’s about those who choose to disrespect and harm others.

The sad truth is that, while humans have evolved from animals, some people still behave in ways that are even more primitive. These actions are not relics of a less civilized past; they are conscious choices to disregard the humanity of others. Such behaviors set society back decades and cause immense trauma for the victims and their families. Every parent and family must now think long and hard before sending loved ones to another city for education or work.

We need to confront this reality with honesty and urgency. It’s time to stop being complacent. We must build a society where respect, safety, and dignity are more than just words — they must be experienced by everyone every day.

Looking to the future, we should focus on teaching respect and empathy from a young age. This could involve making education about how to treat others, especially women, a mandatory part of schooling. While fear might sometimes drive behavior change, we hope to instill these values so that future generations can feel safe and free to be themselves.

However, the present situation demands immediate action. We need strict laws in place and enforce them effectively so that offenders face consequences. We must also change our attitudes and behaviors towards one another. Only then can we hope to progress as a society and create a future where everyone can live without fear.

Thanks to Tejal, and Vertika for sharing their views — their inputs have been instrumental in refining the final piece.