BY JYOTHSNA HEGDE Photos by Photography by Vinod
Atlanta,
JAN 2013: Some incidents shock, shake and shame a nation out of its
slumber and into an awakening. The barbaric rape, torture and eventual
death of a 23 year old paramedical student in India’s capital city,
Delhi on the night of Dec 16th 2012 was the spark that ignited the
outrage of the common man, with protests against the system and demands
for better laws pertaining to violence against women, rape in
particular.
Shaveta Jain, Mrs. India International 2012, with
the support of members of the community, organized a Candlelight Vigil
in honor of the victim, Damini, at the Global Mall in Norcross on
Sunday January 6, 2013.
Atlanta’s South Asian community
gathered in large numbers to express solidarity and support for the
bereaved family. A previous resident of Delhi, and mother of two girls,
Jain said she traveled to her college using of the charter buses, just
like the one Damini and her friend boarded on the fateful night.
“The
terror we used to have while commuting is still the same, now even
worse and will remain the same years after years if we don’t take any
action at this time. So I decided to take an initiative to hold a
memorial service to Damini by lighting a candle and keeping a moment of
silence for her. This memorial service was intended for us to come
together as one and express our solidarity with the victim’s family as
well as demanding better laws for crime against women in India.” She
said when asked about her inspiration to hold the vigil.
The
crowd marched along the Global Mall with lit candles, some borrowing
spark from the others as the windy day blew them away. Expressing
her support for the cause, Alka Lamba, Chairperson, Go India Foundation
said “I stand and support you as a mother, sister, daughter and most
important of all, as a women. Let us take is basic cause of making
people aware, stirring their conscience, making them realize and
sensitize them. Let us do it. Us, not you or me. My support to your
cause is unconditional, unflinching and undisputed.”
“Arise,
Awake, stop not till the goal is reached” Shiv Aggarwal, owner of
Global Mall quoted Swami Vivekananda. He called for more women on the
police force, and urged that the police be separated from politics. He
opined that the TV serial makes and movie makers must portray women in
more positive light rather than fearful and submissive stereotypes.
“Damini
in Sanskrit means lightening – lightening has struck india – it is a
wake-up call. Are we going to put up media protected, poor or no
governance? “ Chand Akkineni questioned. He said the world was bearing
the burden of brutal crimes against humanity and it was time to change.
“Mute witnesses or mute spectators are not going to solve the crime. We
need to express our thoughts. Messages he said can be easily spread
with technology and social media such as Facebook. He impressed upon
the importance of providing equal rights to women, starting with our
homes. “In India, in 2010, there was an attempt to give 33% voting in
parliament to women.” He urged to support people who can bring that
measure to the government.
“I
want to thank you all for choosing our 5th district to have the vigil.
This is the most diverse district in terms of nationalities represented
here with 150 languages spoken” State Senator Curt Thompson (D-GA 5th
District ) said in his opening remarks. Picking up on Swami
Vivekananda’s quote he said, “do not stop till the goal is reached,
whether that goal is stopping corruption, gun violence, or violence
against women. He said there should not have to be a shelter for
battered women of south Asian origin here and that attitudes toward
women must change. “We have to make sure policies are put in place here
and in India and are implemented” he insisted. “I appeal that this be
more than just an outpour of emotions, more than just tears, flowers
and candles – we are all good at doing that, it has to translate till
next month, next year and maybe a decade. And it will take that long
and if we don’t stop, we will get there” he said.
“We have to
change the conversation, we have to be okay to talk about this, we are
not going to blame the woman, we are not going to ask what she was
wearing, we are not going to say why were you out at this time but we
are going to believe her and we are going to support her and we are not
going to make it a shameful what is happening here and we put the same
energy as what we want to do back home,” Aparna Bhattacharya of Raksha
said in her address. She appealed for a shift in how we view these
crimes as individuals. She said that the violence against women act is
being held up by our federal government and one of the reasons is
provisions for the immigrant community. “There are women in our
community who cannot have police reports made because they cannot speak
the language and police officers are not taking those reports” she said
and urged everybody to think about change here and back in India.
IACA President, Kaushal Tripathi said IACA condemns the crime and urged for stringent laws to treat such cases.
“In
my opinion, the death penalty is not sufficient. They should be
castrated in public so that they can suffer and the rest of the people
watching will also learn the lesson,” said, Dr. Wasi Siddiqui,
chairman of the Aligarh Alumni Association of Atlanta.
Abdul Qayyum, President of the Pakistan Association of Georgia and
prominent Pakistani community member Inam M InamMullah also expressed
solidarity with the cause and stressed on the need to create a law to
stop the crime.
Reinforcing the need for change, social
activist Alka lamba says she is more determined effort to ensure the
lawmakers and law enforcement agency act, and act now. “Damini,
Nirbhaya, Amanat... name can be any, the feeling is one. Justice and
empowerment. I pray that her soul rests inpeace. But we shall not. The
concept of expressing your concern towards such horrific crime is
praise worthy. Let us all resolve that respect and dignity of women
should be the basic principle that we give our children. We should
practice what we preach. Respect for women is as basic as the principle
of human dignity.” She said.
Several community members came
together to provide their services and time for this cause. Mustafa
Ajmeri and other volunteers helped Shaveta Jain put the event together.
Shiv Aggaral provided the venue. Shahid Ali sponsored candles, water
and snacks at the vigil. Salim Panjwani of Sur Sangeet of Atlanta
provided the sound system. Vinod Devlia of Photography by Vinod
provided still photography while Zee Hassan of DesiWebShow took care of
video coverage. Print & Sign printed the flyers that were designed
by Shamsu Lalani of Desi Express magazine.
The Resolution
A
resolution was read out by Shaveta Jain and passed by those present
(representing the South Asian community in Atlanta) for submission to
the Government of India.
1.The South Asian American community
came together mourned, extend its heartfelt condolences and stand
together in solidarity and in sympathy to honor the victim’s memory and
to offer their support to the bereaved family. Further, the South Asian
community in Atlanta condemns the 23-year-old, female medical student’s
brutal gang rape on a Delhi bus on Dec. 16 by six drunken men and
conveys the community’s deepest sympathies to the family.
2.The
cross section of the community attended in large number unanimously
demanded Government of India to take strict action and award severe
punishment to the six arrested men involved in the gang rape of a
23-year-old girl, who died in a Singapore hospital.
3.Further it
is resolved that "The police should speed up investigations," and
demanded proper homage to the hapless girl would be to ensure that this
kind of a horrendous incident never happened again.
4. The
Indian community also resolved and called for tougher rape laws, major
police reforms and a transformation in the way the country treats its
women.
5. The Indian Government needs to recruit more Women
Police force to Patrol and in the police stations to understand women’s
needs are grieves.
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