Observations on Petition and some views on future activity

[kisholoy2005]

With the reference to the following petition , https://www.causes.com/actions/1754934-confront-violence-against-women , I have some observations to make: 

There is on one hand the demand to increase the number of police , and in a later clause, it is also pointed out, quite rightly , how the police force acts against rather than for the interests of the exploited, in this case, women [or other suppressed sexual identities]. It seems quite unlikely that within the present socio-political-economic-cultural structure, the police will be reformed into a genuinely humane upholder of basic rights . 

We should not forget that India is heading more and more towards a police state, with militarization of its forces , including the police and para military. It doesn't take much to know that on most occasions, the police are used by the state machinery to suppress voices of protest. The case of Soni Suri and the brutalities inflicted on her should ring in our ears every time we mention the word "police". The atrocities committed on dalits , adivasis and other marginalized communities by the police, who act as the protectors of the exploiters, are well documented. Therefore, news of increasing police forces and them getting more sophisticated weapons do not really sooth my nerves. It instead comes across as ominous. 

I am not saying that the possibility of better community policing is not there, but under the present situation, I wonder if having more police is the right solution, or even a right step . 

Secondly, this issue is fundamentally more complex [than say just asking for the rapists' death sentence] and I think all of us here agree with this. Which is why we are trying to work together on this and I am glad that this effort is sustaining beyond one or two days. Several suggestions, like video making on this issue, have also come up. Certainly the audio-visual medium is great. I also second the suggestion, that whether you are an individual or work for an org, any video relevant to gender issues should be shared here or in one place , and the link shared, so that it can be accessed and used by all. 

I would like to add what if we regularly hold public discussion programs, not just in kolkata or other major cities , but elsewhere in west bengal also? Using street plays , songs should help. 

Another proposition: why not go on a survey drive, with some basic questions and then in the subsequent public programs, bringing these up, to maintain a sort of continuity in the efforts. Getting to understand what others are thinking and then discussing on the same will perhaps help the cause. 

We may also find ways to jointly screen some of the videos that we can collect of resistance or documentaries etc. on gender issues. This too should ideally be done beyond just Kolkata or the major cities .

This is a tentative proposal, which we can build on through debate/exchanges here. Thanks . 

~ Kisholoy 

[Ipsita Pal Bhowmick]

I would like to add what if we regularly hold public discussion programs, not just in kolkata or other major cities , but elsewhere in west bengal also? Using street plays , songs should help. 

Another proposition: why not go on a survey drive, with some basic questions and then in the subsequent public programs, bringing these up, to maintain a sort of continuity in the efforts. Getting to understand what others are thinking and then discussing on the same will perhaps help the cause. 

We may also find ways to jointly screen some of the videos that we can collect of resistance or documentaries etc. on gender issues. This too should ideally be done beyond just Kolkata or the major cities .

Agree to all.  What do others think ?  Suddhsatyada also was talking about the streeplays.

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "ConfrontViolence" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to confrontviolen...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to confront...@googlegroups.com.
Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/confrontviolence.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.