There is no definitive proof of a changing mindset in Haryana when it comes to treating girls and women with respect. On the one hand, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar waxes eloquent about the improved sex ratio at birth in the state, and on the other, his administration fails miserably to arrest the high incidence of rape (and gang-rape).
One of the top police officials, Additional Director General of Police, Ambala Range, RC Mishra, has gone on record saying that “rape is a part of society” — a public admission to the fact that women will continue to be brutalised, no matter the quality of policing and the quantum of punishment.
This is misogyny at its worst, but what’s more deplorable is the fact that a man-in-uniform, who had sworn to uphold the law and protect the vulnerable, could show such scant regard for women.
In essence, Mishra is saying men will be men, and they can’t control their primordial urges. This is dangerous and indeed unfortunate because if a top cop displays this attitude, the rank and file are expected to do no better.
Perhaps, it’s safe to surmise that CM Khattar is playing to the gallery when he says that strict punishment will be meted out to the guilty involved in the rape of two minor Dalit girls in two separate incidents.
He is merely firefighting in the wake of a public outcry. As per the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) report for 2015, Haryana had recorded the highest rate of gang-rapes in the country: With 204 gang-rapes, it comes down to 1.6 gang-rapes for one lakh of woman population. In terms of absolute numbers, 1,070 rapes in 2016, according to NCRB figures, give a fair indication of the situation on the ground.
