The recent ‘dress code’ diktat issued by Women group(s) in Nagaland have not gone well with the populace, especially the present generation feels that it is too harsh for girls to adhere and in a way reinforcing the Patriarchy instead of helping the womenfolk. The main argument of the women group insisting for a dress code is to minimize the attraction of rape culture which is surprisingly sprouting in Nagaland. Personally I feel that everybody (men & women) should be dressed decently but no one likes (especially youngsters) somebody to dictate on their lifestyles. The problem of dressing randomly among the Nagas is because there are no appropriate places to exhibit different types of dresses to wear it for different occasions and events (a different subject to be dealt later).
In spite of all these precaution, rape and murder of yet another young girl in Dimapur near airport junction has taken place again which proves that dress is not the culprit but the rapist is. We must catch the rapist immediately and give any exemplary punishment. It is the rapist that needs to be condemned by all and let us not keep any doubt in our minds about what the innocent victim was wearing at the time of crime. Suggesting to dress decently is a good advice but I strongly feel that dressing appropriately should not be connected with rape. These kinds of advices should remain within the confines of the family (suggests Atono Tsukru) as it is the basic foundation for moral ethics. But by issuing a diktat of this sort through social platform will give a breather to the rapist. Let’s not victimize the victim again. Let us all (men and women) retreat ourselves and spend quality time with our family and ponder over what is happening to our society today.
It is encouraging to know that the public, especially the women folk coming out immediately to condemn the heinous crime committed to an innocent girl; but where will this end again? Condemnation and protesting should not stop from there. Let us recollect the past: Where has all those rapist gone? What have been done to them? Has any action been taken on them? If yes, why has it not been reported? Women group must continuously engage themselves (of course get the support of those willing men folk’s also) to ensure that the rapist be given a proper punishment by working closely with the concern authorities. It’s a menace in our society which needs to be nipped before it becomes a parasite. Women also should take upon themselves to conscientise our society how to deal with the victims of rape. Most often, the same person who condemns rape and the rapist will find difficulty in accepting the victim which is no fault of hers because of social norms. While condemning rape and the rapist, let us also prepare the mindset of our society to accept the victim and help her to renew her life.
May God help our family, our society and our nation from being condemned!
In spite of all these precaution, rape and murder of yet another young girl in Dimapur near airport junction has taken place again which proves that dress is not the culprit but the rapist is. We must catch the rapist immediately and give any exemplary punishment. It is the rapist that needs to be condemned by all and let us not keep any doubt in our minds about what the innocent victim was wearing at the time of crime. Suggesting to dress decently is a good advice but I strongly feel that dressing appropriately should not be connected with rape. These kinds of advices should remain within the confines of the family (suggests Atono Tsukru) as it is the basic foundation for moral ethics. But by issuing a diktat of this sort through social platform will give a breather to the rapist. Let’s not victimize the victim again. Let us all (men and women) retreat ourselves and spend quality time with our family and ponder over what is happening to our society today.
It is encouraging to know that the public, especially the women folk coming out immediately to condemn the heinous crime committed to an innocent girl; but where will this end again? Condemnation and protesting should not stop from there. Let us recollect the past: Where has all those rapist gone? What have been done to them? Has any action been taken on them? If yes, why has it not been reported? Women group must continuously engage themselves (of course get the support of those willing men folk’s also) to ensure that the rapist be given a proper punishment by working closely with the concern authorities. It’s a menace in our society which needs to be nipped before it becomes a parasite. Women also should take upon themselves to conscientise our society how to deal with the victims of rape. Most often, the same person who condemns rape and the rapist will find difficulty in accepting the victim which is no fault of hers because of social norms. While condemning rape and the rapist, let us also prepare the mindset of our society to accept the victim and help her to renew her life.
May God help our family, our society and our nation from being condemned!
Tokato K. Yeptho, Chennai
