Pics: Prajwal Ukkuda/Dayananda Kukkaje
January 30, 2009
The recent pub attack and the physical abuse of women have hogged national limelight and continue to do so with the national taking the cudgels on behalf of the victims. Mangalore, known for its tiles, beaches and banks has become infamous over the years and the recent incident has tarnished its image and its cosmopolitan culture. In the backdrop of the current issue snowballing into a major incident having countrywide repercussions, the National Commission for Women sent its member Smt Nirmala Venkatesh to assess the situation and submit a report to the government. In an interview with daijiworld, Nirmala Venkatesh spoke about her findings and her recommendations on the dastardly act of beating and molesting women.
Q. What is the outcome of your visit?
A. We visited the place and found that basically the pub that was attacked had no security. Anybody could just walk in or walk out. I have learnt from sources that there was live band going for which there was no permission. We have examined the documents and we are not happy with the answers given by the management. What has happened there is unfortunate but the management has no right to run the pub. My visit will certainly have a positive impact with regard to the safety and security of women in Mangalore.
A. What is your assessment of the incident?
B. We have found that some illegal activities are going on in some hotels and pubs in Mangalore, including prostitution. We conducted a surprise raid on one of the hotels and found that not everything was going on legally.
Q. With these findings what are going to be your recommendations to the government?
A. National Commission for Women will recommend the cancellation of license of this pub. The pub was given license to serve food for the lodge. They did not have the license to have a live band. They did not have the basic requirement of appointing a security guard.
Q. But this is not the basic issue people are concerned about. The main issue is whether it was right on the part of the self-styled moral policemen to attack women?
A. In fact I have met the 27 culprits who are locked up in the sub jail. They have apologized saying it was not their intention to attack women. They wanted the live band to be stopped but somehow it went out of hand. I am shocked that an incident has occurred in Mangalore. It is disgusting to know women were beaten up.
Q. You have failed to meet any of the women victims who were attacked. Does it signify your failure?
A. Women should protect themselves. They should have come forward and filed a complaint. So far no girl or their parents have come forward to file a complaint. If the girls feel they were not doing anything wrong why are they afraid to come forward and give a statement? When I met the culprits and asked for the names or numbers of at least one girl they refused saying they do not want to defame these girls. They say girls of some of the big shots are involved. But at no stage I can condone their grotesque act of beating women in public.
Q. It gives an impression that you have developed a soft corner for the culprits….
A. No. I recommend that the culprits should be given the harshest punishment possible for taking the law in their hands and violating the basic rights of women. They should be charged under section 307 and should not be spared at any cost.
Q. Do you feel the police have done their duty impartially?
A. I think the police have done what they could do under the circumstances. They have arrested the culprits and IGP has kept us informed about the steps they have taken in this regard.
Q. Finally what have you realized from this incident?
A. In our country the normal mindset is men protect women when the situation demands. Here the situation has reversed and we will see what best can do to ensure such incidents are curbed altogether.