Shivam Vij, employee at Shekhar Gupta’s The Print, has authored an article that has been published on a Pakistani news outlet where he has emphatically claimed that ‘Upper Caste’ men rape Dali women because they believe they have the right to rape them. The article, titled ‘India’s Dalit women often face sexual violence because of, yes, their caste’, was published on Dawn three days earlier.
Shivam Vij on Dawn
The article on Dawn appears tailor-made to further Pakistani propaganda against India. Until now, such ‘journalists’ had limited themselves to peddling anti-India propaganda in Indian or Western media outlets. Now, it appears, their services are employed to cater to the needs of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan as well.
It is pertinent to note here that Pakistan has often tried in recent times to foment caste wars in India and tensions along the lines of caste. Following the Pulwama terror attack, Pakistan had actually highlighted the caste of the martyrs in the hope that it will cause disruption in India. And now, we have Indian journalists who argue that the ‘Upper Caste’ in India believe that they can rape Dalit women and have their article appear on Pakistani outlets. It is directly playing into Pakistan’s agenda.
‘Journalists’ such as Shivam Vij are also extremely careful to not highlight the possible causes that prompt Muslim men to rape Hindu women. All their speculations are reserved only for the occasions when Hindus can be made to fight against each other in order to benefit certain factions politically. Vij, in particular, does not even hesitate to say that. Prior to the 2019 General Elections, he argued that the caste divide among Hindus should be exploited to break the Hindutva consolidation for the sake of ‘Secularism’.
None of them have anything to say when the rapist happens to be a Muslim of course. The sexual slavery that is still prevalent across certain territories held by Islamic terrorists, the continued persecution of Hindus and other minority communities in Pakistan and other Islamic countries, the manner in which girls of other faiths are kidnapped and married off to their Muslim abductors in Pakistan, all of this does not prompt them to question the religious roots of such sexual violence. Such critique is reserved for Hindus alone.
Imagine the depth of moral depravity one has to sink to claim that ‘Upper Caste’ men believe they have the right to rape Dalit women. Would such vulgar demonisation of any other section of the population find space in media? Could any of us imagine any media outlet publishing an article that said, ‘Christians rape children because they believe they have the right to do so’ or ‘Arabs rape camels because they believe they have the right to do so’? Of course not, not only because it is incorrect but also because it is foul to demonise any community in such a fashion.
It is unclear whether Shivam Vij wrote that article to undermine the BJP or Indian national interests. Given the history of his articles, the reasonable conclusion to draw is that it is a combination of both. Or it could very well be that Vij actually hates people from the ‘Upper Caste’ from the bottom of his heart and the situation in the media is such that anti-Upper Caste bigotry is not only tolerated but even encouraged.
It is pertinent to mention here that the article was originally published on The Print and was reproduced by Dawn with due permission. A media outlet run by the chief of the Editors’ Guild of India, Shekhar Gupta, actually saw it fit to publish an article that Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels would have been proud of.
Actress Mishti Mukherjee who has worked in several films and music videos, died on 2nd October night in a hospital in Bengaluru. As per the reports, she was suffering from a kidney ailment. She made her Bollywood debut with the film Life Ki Toh Lag Gayi in 2012. According to a representative of the actress, her kidney failure was caused by keto diet she was using.
According to the official statement issued by the representative, “Actress Mishti Mukherjee who marked her brilliance in many films and music videos with her ace acting is no more. Due to the keto diet, her kidney failed in Bangalore and she breathed her last on Friday night, the actress suffered a lot of pain. Unforgettable and unfortunate loss. May her soul rest in peace. She is survived by her parents and brother.”
Keto diet and its adverse effect on the body
Keto diet regime is based on a high-fat, moderate-protein, and low-carb diet. The main aim of this diet plan is to lose weight by achieving ketosis. This diet plan’s base is to cut off carbohydrate, which is the primary source of energy, from the diet and force the body to use stored fat to produce energy. This format of diet is highly popular among those who want to lose weight quickly.
Though the weight loss is definite, several studies have indicated that this diet can have an adverse effect on the health as it puts a lot of stress on the kidneys. Stones in kidneys are common among those who follow the Keto diet for a longer duration. Those who already have kidney disease are not recommended to follow the Keto diet.
The controversy around Mishti Mukherjee
In 2014, Mishti’s brother and father were arrested from their home for allegedly running a pornographic CD and DVD supply racket. The actress had then denied the allegations. She said her four house-helps robbed her family members and ‘placed’ the CD/DVDs with pornographic content to frame them.
Times Group’s Ahmedabad based tabloid Ahmedabad Mirror on Saturday published a ‘free-wheeling’ chat with Gujarat BJP President C R Paatil. The ‘interview’ was supposedly taken by Ahmedabad Mirror Editor Deepal Trivedi. Except, as it turns out, the interview never took place.
Such are the times we live in that now newspapers are giving fiction writers a run for their money.
Surprised to see my interview published in @AhmedabadMirror as a free-wheeling chat.
Taking to Twitter, Paatil called out the fictional ‘interview’ where the tabloid’s Congress-friendly Editor herself had taken the byline. The interview claimed that in 2022 state elections, as per Paatil, BJP will win at least 175 out of 182 seats and that even 182 seats should not come as a surprise.
Taking to Twitter, Trivedi defended the ‘interview’ by claiming that the said ‘interview’ took place on 1st September in Circuit House. However, the same was published only now on 3rd October.
I am shocked to see #Gujarat#BJP President @CRPaatil lying. I met him specifically for this interview on September 1,2020 at Gandhinagar Circuit House. I spent 1.50 hours there. He said he does not know to speak English so the interview was conducted in Gujarati & English. https://t.co/Ov2DRA5Ai4
She claimed that the ‘interview’ was conducted in Gujarati and English.
Trivedi further claimed that right after the above ‘interview’ Paatil tested positive for Chinese coronavirus.
4 other people were present in his suite room when the interview was conducted.I had one question left but he said he had a video con(which he actually began) & I should call him up after 2- 3 days. He said he was leaving for N Gujarat. Soon after, he was infected with #COVID19 .
Interestingly, one of the questions in the ‘interview’ published on 3rd October is about Paatil’s reaction to allegations of him being a ‘superspreader’ for the virus. Which does not quite fit into the timeline that the ‘interview’ was taken prior to him testing positive for coronavirus.
She even later shared a five second clip of the ‘interview’.
#Gujarat#BJP Prez @CRPaatil ji either is an amnesiac or a liar.He refuses to have ever met me or given an interview.He owes me an apology or has to face action.I will fight for #justice & #truth. I have all evidence to prove the interview. Here is a small glimpse.☺️#journalismpic.twitter.com/DUYrLH35gs
She tweeted that she wants Paatil to apologise for saying that Ahmedabad Mirror faked the interview.
Following her tweets, Paatil tweeted that the clip she has shared is from a month back and that when she had approached him for an interview on 2nd October, he had refused outrightly.
The clip you have posted is from a month back. You’ve already published that conversation after twisting my words.
Day before yesterday when you called me for an interview, I refused it outright and our call did not last more than a minute! @DeepalTrevediehttps://t.co/W5jiWxHRs9
He said that the call for the new interview did not last for more than a minute.
Deepal Trivedi history with fake news and wishing deaths
Ahead of 2017 Gujarat state elections, Trivedi was caught sharing morphed images of fake quotes by then BJP President Amit Shah on Patidar community. The atrocious statements put up by Deepal could have easily instigated disturbance within communities in a poll-bound state where rumours can easily take shape of violence. When confronted about her malicious tweet, Trivedi claimed that she tagged Hardik and Amit Shah to ‘clarify’ since the images appeared ‘dicey’. Similarly, in 2018, she was caught wishing death upon BJP leader Tajinder Bagga.
This is not the first time an Indian journalist has been accused of faking an interview. An often talked about case if that of an abusive troll masquerading as a journalist Swati Chaturvedi who was once accused of faking an interview with former Defence Minister George Fernandes. The ‘interview’ had mysteriously disappeared.
Note: The report has been updated with Ahmedabad Mirror Editor Deepal Trivedi’s replies on Twitter.
Not too long ago a senior journalist spoke about his reportage and actions during the 2001 Parliament attack – “We are vultures and we feed off these moments”. His confessions were indeed an (unwitting) indictment of the Lutyens brand of journalism that prevails even today- for whom even the Hathras tragedy is a “God-given strategic opportunity“. It is perhaps and attempt to revive falling TRPs and failing political careers of a certain political ‘Bunty & Babli’ by manipulating the narrative, stating half-truths and stoking caste passions.
No, Hathras is not about Bharat ki Beṭi anymore but about a political Beta-Beṭi or Bunty and Babli as I call them. Their permanent job is to be either on global tourism or political tourism! Equally, it is also an attempt by the have-beens and rejects of the Lutyens Zone, to ride on this very dubious casteist – political project and strike back at the symbols of New India. The New India which has completely exposed these once powerful darbaris who lobbied on the phone for ministerships!
But let us examine the facts of the Hathras case
The attack on the victim took place on 14th September. She was first moved to the district hospital in Aligarh, where her statement was recorded on September 22, and finally shifted to Delhi on September 28. She succumbed to her injuries on 29th September and that is when the political vulturism began.
(Please note: while she was in Safdarjung Hospital, Bunty & Babli chose not visit her or her family even as they head to Hathras on their political tour! )
Coming back to the facts..
Firstly there is no doubt that the 19 year old Dalit girl was subjected to strangulation and suffered cervical injuries, sepsis and cardiopulmonary arrest. But was there a rape or gang rape as alleged by the opposition?
In at least 3 videos, now verified by the media too, the mother of the victim or the initial complaint filed, the victim’s side says that the accused Sandeep, son of Guddu in their village, had attacked the girl and strangulated her. There were no claims of rape or gang rape by the family members whatsoever.
In fact, one of the the first independent news reports on the Hathras issue were published on 15th September by Dainik Jagran and Amar Ujala. And while they had mentioned the name of victim they also mentioned the that there was one accused who was wanted for “attempt to murder” but there was no no mention of rape whatsoever!
The UP Police also stated that the post mortem report did not mention any injuries that may have indicated rape or sexual assault.
While some hay-wire portals claimed rape based on an MLC by Aligarh Hospital on the victim, the final report from Dr Faiz of Jawaharlal Nehru Medical college from Aligarh Muslim University signed by Chairman Dr Sayeed ruled out rape (both intercourse and physical assault). Are these doctors sold out too?
Curiously those who are happy to believe a report by AIIMS in Sushant Singh Rajput case that allegedly indicates it was suicide and not murder are unwilling to accept forensic examination in Hathras case!
You will ask what difference does it make- the girl is dead, isn’t she? Yes she is dead and she absolutely needs to be given justice. But to present what is an alleged dispute between families as a caste-based targeting via rape is dangerous and anybody doing that is only doing it to get some votes by DIVIDE AND RULE!
But there is a “dying declaration” video some in Lutyens’ media will argue.
Yes, some experts cite the “dying declaration” of the victim as proof rape/gang rape. No doubt dying declarations are admissible in a court of law but the apex court in 2019 has held that an incriminatory dying declaration can be acted upon if the court finds that it brings out truthful position particularly in conjunction with the capacity of deceased to make such declaration. In simple language you cannot rely on every statement blindly. Most importantly the voluntariness with which it was made which involves no doubt and rules out tutoring and prompting. Further, it also has other evidence which supports the contents of such declaration.
Why do I mention tutoring or promoting? Simply because now multiple audio tapes – one of a journalist (put out by OpIndia first) and one of a Congress party go-between or should I say a broker/dalal, essentially tutoring the family of the victim to take a particular position and make certain claims that suits their narrative. The reporter, whose tape has been confirmed by her own channel, seems to be playing a devious mind game of sorts by scaring the victim’s family into believing that the Yogi Adityanath government was going to implicate them and hence they should immediately take a stand that they are under pressure from the UP govt and are not satisfied with the probe done so far.
What has the Yogi government done in this case so far you may ask? Well after PM Modi spoke to the CM the UP government ordered:
• SIT Probe • Compensation • SP & 4 policemen have been suspended • Victim family and accused to undergo Narco Test (which a known Congress stooge is opposing in court now)
Today, the DGP of UP Police and Addl Chief Secretary met the family and assured justice too! So this is far from what was being tutored by the reporter. In fact, such tutoring has been done by political agents too! One video posted by members of the Congress shows how the victim’s family is being coaxed to say “dabav tha” (there is pressure )
Now in its defence some journalists who have lost out on their precious TRPs are also trying to use Hathras for their own gains! One of them asked “how did the UP govt tap our reporters phone?” Dear sir… now that you cite invasion of privacy its like “Sau chuhe khakar billi Hajj ko chali“! You have built your entire career on sting ops, audio leaks and even WhatsApp chats that tried to make Sushant’s family look guilty!
Also, how do you know that your reporter’s phone was tapped? Is that the only way an audio conversation is recorded and shared? Anyway, if you feel that there is something amiss move the courts. But do let us know if you will stop your ‘sting ops’ too. They are illegal, in case you didn’t know.
Your ‘fight’ is not about justice. Your news cycle is about some darbaris in media who want relevance and Bollywood celebrities who want to get back in limelight after the SSR + Bollywood drug link which has left them exposed. And of, course, the political Bunty-Babli reviving their careers!
If this was about India’s daughters think about this: Highest rapes (5997) in 2019 were reported in Rajasthan
Rapes Per Lakh Population: Rajasthan: 15.9 Kerala: 11.1 UP: 3.7
There is Congress-led government in Rajasthan and Rahul Gandhi is MP from Wayanad in Kerala. Will Rahul and Priyanka visit Rajasthan or Kerala? Nope!
Some reports suggest that as many as 11 rapes were reported including those of minors, Dalit and tribal in Rajasthan in just one week! PM Modi spoke to Yogi Adityanath and ensured action! What did Rahul do? In one case the CM of Rajasthan has tweeted in way that seems he is supporting the accused! There has been an almost sharp rise in rape cases in Rajasthan ever since Mr Gehlot has taken over but, DARBARI MEDIA IS SILENT BOLLYWOOD IS SILENT BUNTY BABLI ARE ABSENT
Simply because rapes in Rajasthan are not a God send opportunity, are they? There is a video of Rahul and Priyanka giggling away while driving to Hathras! If you feel Dalit Lives Matter to them! God help you!!!
Days after a 22-year-old Dalit girl was gang-raped inBalrampur in UP by two men, the autopsy report has revealed the cause of her death. On Tuesday, the woman was abducted by two men, namely Sahil and Shahid, while she was returning home after taking admission in college. She was then brutally gang-raped and thrashed mercilessly. The perpetrators also tried to get her treated but later sent her home via a rickshaw. When she was later taken to the hospital, the victim was declared dead on arrival.
The autopsy report, submitted to the family members, has revealed ten marks on the body of the victim, including her neck, hands, legs and stomach. The report has also indicated that the accused thrashed the girl, following the rape. The victim has suffered injuries to her liver and intestine, thereby leading to profuse bleeding and eventual death.
Senior officials visit family of victim
On Sunday, senior police officers, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Avnish K Awasthi, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar met the victim’s family members at Balrampur. The visit of the senior officials took place, following the orders of the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Several police teams have been assigned to investigate the case. While speaking to the media earlier, ASP Devendra Verma has vowed to provide justice to the victim.
ACS Home Avnish K Awasthi and ADG Law & Order Prashant Kumar interact with the family members of the alleged gangrape victim in Balrampur.
A 22-year-old woman died after she was allegedly gangraped in the district on September 29. The accused has been arrested. pic.twitter.com/NYnNtixjss
The Uttar Pradesh government has announced on Friday that it will provide a job, ₹2 lac financial assistance and a residential plot to the deceased’s family. The cops have arrested 4 people, including Sahid, Sahil, a compounder, and the rickshaw puller, in connection to the case.
The victim was in excruciating pain
As per the mother’s statement, the victim was in excruciating pain. She was unable to speak when she came back home. She only uttered a few words, “I am in a lot of pain, I won’t survive.” The mother said that when she was coming back, 3-4 men forced her into their car. They injected her and raped her. “They broke her back and legs and sent her back in a rickshaw. She had no strength left even to walk,” she added.
The Hathras case continues to be top news after Congress and other opposition parties decided to use the case to attack the govt at the state and at the centre. A 19-year-old woman was died after being allegedly sexually assaulted and beaten up by four men in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh. The case was probed by an SIT formed by Uttar Pradesh police, but the case has been handed over to CBI by the CM after nationwide focus on the case.
One of the significant aspects in the case is the continuously changing position of the family of the girl. Initially, the family of the victim had levelled only assault charge, and the rape allegation was added a week later. This has created much confusion about the case, as medical and forensic evidence available till now does not support the rape charge. Similarly, the stand of the family on the probe in the case also seems to be changing, especially the position taken by the victim’s brother.
After it was reported yesterday that the case has been handed over to CBI by the state govt, the deceased’s brother said that the family didn’t seek it. As per the reports, the victim’s brother said that they did not demand CBI inquiry as SIT investigation is already underway. Now the family is demanding judicial investigation under the Supreme Court.
We did not demand CBI inquiry in the case as SIT investigation is already underway: Brother of the victim of #HathrasCase on CBI probe ordered by CM Yogi Adityanath pic.twitter.com/uexdkbc75k
The mother of the victim had also said the same earlier yesterday. The family has also refused to undergo a narco test that was ordered by CM Yogi Adityanath. The Special Investigation Team recommended the test in its preliminary report. The victim’s mother said that her family would not undergo the narco test. However, earlier the family was expressing displeasure over the SIT probe, and had even demanded court-monitored CBI probe.
Dissatisfaction with the SIT
On 1st October, several news agencies reported that the victim’s brother said they are not satisfied with the ongoing investigation. While talking to India Today, the victim’s younger brother said, “We are not satisfied with the investigation at all. We want a CBI investigation in this case. My sister has died; the administration burnt her corpse without even showing her face. How do they think we will be satisfied?”
On 3rd October, the victim’s brother again said that they are not satisfied with the ongoing investigation. As per ANI’s report, he said, “We are not satisfied with the ongoing investigation as we have not got answers to our questions till now. The DM who threatened us openly has not been suspended yet.” CM Yogi Adityanath had given suspension orders for SP, DSP, Inspector and some other officials after SIT’s preliminary report.
Demand of judicial investigation under Supreme Court Judge
On 4th October, the family has demanded judicial investigation under the supervision of a Supreme Court judge as they do not trust any investigation agency, including SIT and CBI, along with the state government. The brother of the victim also demanded suspension of District Magistrate, Hathras.
We want an investigation to be held under a retired Supreme Court judge. We want the #Hathras District Magistrate to be suspended: Brother of the victim in the alleged gangrape case pic.twitter.com/Mv6bbDYmbt
The opposition parties on both the local and national level are pumping all the energy in the said case. After the state government allowed media and politicians to meet the victim’s family, the floodgates of politicians and media personnel have opened in the area around the village. Congress leaders Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi had already visited the family. However, before they could reach the family, a video surfaced on social media where they were found giggling during their journey to Hathras.
Eleven members of Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party will meet the family on 4th October. He had earlier raised questions on SIT’s recommendation of the family’s narco test and said only police officers should undergo the test and not the family. TMC’s Derek O’Brien also visited Hathras a couple of days back but was stopped by the police. Just like Rahul Gandhi he also fell after allegedly being pushed by the police.
‘हाथरस कांड’ में मृतका के परिजनों का नहीं बल्कि उन अधिकारियों का नार्को टेस्ट होना चाहिए जिन्होंने इस कांड को अंजाम दिया, जिससे ये सच उजागर हो कि उन्होंने किसके ‘महा-आदेश’ पर ऐसा किया.
असली गुनाहगार कितनी भी परतें ओढ़ लें लेकिन एक दिन सच सामने आयेगा और आज की सत्ता का राज जाएगा.
Recently, OpIndia got hold of few audio recordings where India Today’s journalist Tanushree was heard guiding the victim’s brother to make a video and send it to her. Reporters from several other news agencies were seen trying to intimidate police personnel who stopped them from entering the village.
Hathras Case
The case has attracted a lot of controversies. There has been political mudslinging has been happening around the Hathras case since the victim succumbed to her injuries in Delhi’s Safdarjung hospital on Tuesday morning. The victim was allegedly raped two weeks ago. Some reports claimed Hathras Police forcefully cremated the girl on Tuesday night without consent of the family members. The police had later stated that the victim’s father was present during the cremation which attracted nationwide outrage.
Speaking to ANI, ADG Prashant Kumar had informed that the forensic reports that were awaited have also been received. ADG stated that the FSL report found no evidence of ‘rape’. He asserted that it was concluded that there was no sexual assault, and the cause of death was strangulation and injury to the spine.
The police had stated that the victim had bitten her tongue, and had suffered injuries on her spine because of the brutal strangulation. The victim had later stated to the police that she was gang-raped. However, the UP Police have stated that the post mortem report did not mention any injuries that may have indicated rape or sexual assault. ADG Prashant Kumar had stated that the forensic lab report of the samples collected from the victim’s body have ruled out rape or sexual assault.
The Hindi film industry aka Bollywood has a significant influence on the lives of people in India. From imitating actors and their dress sense to reciting film dialogues, the film fraternity shapes the outlook of the society. Whenever a rape case makes national headlines, we are forced to introspect on what bolsters a perpetrator to commit such a crime. We question the rape culture and the politicisation but often shy away from the causes. What has made rapes look so normal? There are several factors behind such a skewed mindset and Bollywood is partly to be blamed for it.
In the 70s through the 90s, Bollywood enthralled the Indian audience with a unique concept – Jism ki garmi (The heat of the body). Often used as a sensuous term to describe lust or an insatiable urge for a sexual encounter, the Hindi film industry redefined its meaning to normalise heinous crimes such as rapes and disregarding consent.
Twitter handle ‘Gems of Bollywood’ in a series of tweets pointed out how the A-listers of the Hindi film industry over the years watered down rapes and violating women’s bodies using creative euphemism.
In the movie Aa Gale Lag Jaa (1973), Shashi Kapoor is seen trying his best to save the life of the actress Sharmila Tagore. With no option left to treat her illness, Shashi Kapoor strips her naked. He then puts a blanket over and claims that sleeping during a bad cold may induce death. The protagonist is concerned about her health. All of a sudden a voice prompts in his mind, which says,”There is one last way that can save her life without medicines. It is ‘jismani garmi’ (body heat). You need to take her in your arms and transfer your body heat to her.”
Shashi Kapoor perhaps pioneered the rape-therapy aka Jism ki Garmi to save life. In Aa Gale Lag Jaa, 1973 he had no option but to impregnate Sharmila to save her from Sardi ki maut wali neend. Sharmila Tagore is happy. Says – I would have also done the same. Medical Bollywood. pic.twitter.com/YKvCkngZtV
Shashi Kapoor then proceeds to undress his shirt, slips into her blanket and makes love to transfer his body heat to her. The science-defying exercise, however, helps to cure a dying Sharmila Tagore. On the following day, Kapoor tells the actress that he did not intend to take ‘advantage’ of her through his non-consensual sexual act but instead save her life. Instead of admonishing the actor, Sharmila Tagore says, “There is no price to save a life. I would have done the same if I was in your place.” In the end, both of them are seen as happy.
The recurrent theme of ‘Jism ki garmi’
In another film tiled ‘Badle ki Aag’ (1982), actor Sunil Dutt too comes across a similar situation. The actress, Reena Roy, has high fever and lies unconscious on the ground. The actor makes several desperate attempts, starting from lighting a bonfire to rubbing the actress’ feet. However, nothing seems to get her life out of danger. Dutt, who plays the character of Lakhan, is portrayed as a simple man who holds women in ‘high respect’. The actor then throws away her blouse and saree while she lay unconscious. He takes her in his arms and transfers his ‘body heat’. Immediately, the actress regains consciousness.
Sunil Dutt has also saved life using Jism ki Garmi aka Rape therapy. In Badle ki Aag, 1982, since he respects women and had no option, Lakhan had to give Jism ki Garmi to Reena Roy aka Geeta. She replies – Tum Insaan Nahi Devata Ho.
As part of the script, the actor justifies his decision to violate her body under the pretext of saving her life. Describing his moral values, Dutt states in the movie, “I respect women. I don’t play with their bodies.” As usual, the actress has no problem that the actor outraged her modesty. She understands his perspective and concludes that he is a God in the human form.
Rape is normal when done for ‘greater good’
The theme of jismani garmi and ‘rape therapy’, to cure women of high fever, runs recurrently across movies. The same is seen in the 1988 movie ‘Ganga Jamuna Saraswati’. The movie, named after three Holy rivers in the Hindu religion, shows a perplexed Ganga (played by Amitabh Bacchan) raping Jamuna (played by Meenakshi Sheshadri) out of moral obligations to save her life. The movie also describes the breaking of ‘hymen’ with creative euphemism of the tearing of a spider cobweb.
Amitabh aka Ganga has no option but to offer rape-therapy to save Jamuna. Sardi ki neend maut ki need hai. Notice how web is shown to break after sex. Then gyan of Dharm, Karma. Tan mil gaye to man bhi milenge by Kader Khan. Film Ganga Jamuna Saraswati, 1988. Manmohan Desai. pic.twitter.com/JYgel0wYAF
Nevertheless, Ganga is able to convince Jamuna for the non-consensual sex by claiming that their “hearts will now meet after their bodies have met”. To bolster his argument, the actor adds, “I have violated the laws of religion (by raping you). But from now on, I will follow the laws of religion.”
Bollywood innovated concept of innocent molestation and life-saver rape. Here is example from debut film of Akshay Kumar, Saugandh (1991). Girl has to be groped to make her realize she is woman. And to save her from cold, Bollywood doctors have one treatment – Jism ki Garmi. + pic.twitter.com/WNoolGtq4e
In the 1991 Akshay Kumar-starrer Saugandh, the actor has no time to call the doctor but manages to get time to impart his ‘bodily warmth’ to the actress, who is bogged down with high fever. When the actress learns about her ordeal, she attempts to kill her perpetrator. The actor’s friend intervenes and questions her, “Do you want to kill someone who saved your life? Whatever he did (rape in this case), he did as a decent and responsible man to save your life?”
When rapist is the hero of the movie
In the 1991 film ‘Benaam Badsha’, Deepak (played by Anil Kapoor) rapes Jyoti (played by Juhi Chawla) on her wedding night. He was hired for ₹5000 to commit the crime. Portraying himself as the mighty thug, Deepak claims that he can even rape his own mother for money. Ideally, such a character in the movie is that of an antagonist. However, this is not the case here.
How Bollywood, and superstars like @iam_juhi and @AnilKapoor, normalised rape and glamourised rapists.
‘Benaam Badsha’ was a 90s hit. Watch the clips below & see for yourself
1. Hero rapes the bride. Says he can rape his mother for money
Jyoti, the victim, tells her mother, “Daag mit sakta hai agar daag lagana vala sindoor laga de (The blot on my character due to my rape can be erased if my rapist marries me)” She is also seen giving love letters to her perpetrator and the hero of the movie, Deepak. Interestingly, the said film is the remake of a national award-winning Tamil film.
The problem with Bollywood’s portrayal of rape
While consensual kissing scenes were censored in Indian films for a long time, rape scenes, however, were never censored. ‘Sensuous scenes’ were displayed to the audience through an act of an assault, intended to outrage the modesty of a woman. In all the above-mentioned movies, it was depicted as a ‘duty’ of a man to save women, even if it meant having sexual intercourse without consent. Interestingly, none of the victims too had a problem with the assault, given that the perpetrator had somehow saved their lives. Besides, all victims fall in love with their perpetrators or end up marrying them.
The Hindi film industry has, knowingly or unknowingly, convinced a generation of people that rape is normal when done in light of ‘greater good’. It has also conveyed the message to the society that rape is pardonable if the perpetrator weds the victim. Bollywood thus mainstreamed the ‘mindset of rape’ in the sense that it always found an excuse to justify the heinous act.
The murder and alleged gang-rape case of a girl in Hathras in Uttar Pradesh continues to be a big political issue taken up by the opposition parties to attack the BJP govt at the state. While it is a case of a brutal attack on a Dalit girl, the allegation of rape remains contentious and inconclusive. The Uttar Pradesh police maintain that the girl was not rapped, relying on a forensic report. Countering the police claim, today left-wing portal The Wire published an exclusive report claiming that a medico-legal examination report on the case prepared by the Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Hospital shatters the police version.
The Wire has accessed the 54-page report, and based on it they have concluded that the victim was raped. But the portal has misrepresented facts presented in the report they have accessed, and has ignored several other parts of the report that does not mention any sexual assault.
The Wire writes, “In section 16 of the MLC performed by the JNMCH, the doctors record that the victim’s vagina had been penetrated by a penis during the incident. In the next column, the doctors said that the penetration was “complete”. But this is completely misleading, because the content mentioned in section 16 does not describe any medical examination conducted by the doctors, but it only mentions statements given by the victim about the incident. The section comes under the heading ‘Details provided by the survivor’, and section 16 is titled “Details of the Act”, therefore it only records what the victim narrated about the incident, and it is not said by doctors as reported by The Wire.
Victim’s statement included in the MLC report
On the question of ‘Orifice penetrated’, the answer is vagina, and the next answers say it was complete and done by penis. But the subsequent questions have no answer, as the victim was not aware of those as she had fallen unconscious.
This is mentioned in the report itself, which the Wire has included in the report. If these were observations by doctors, answers to those questions should be present. This makes it clear that section 16 only contains the statement of the victim about the incident, and it is not opinions of the doctors who had attended to her. Wire presented a completely misleading picture by attributing the victim’s statements to doctors.
It is noteworthy that first few days after the incident, videos had emerged where the mother of the vicitm was describing the attack, and at that time the mother also didn’t mention any rape allegation.
Although the victim’s statement confirming rape is very signification in terms of the case, the report as a whole does not confirm as Wire presented it. Several other points of the reports are also worth mentioning, which shows that the report is not conclusive about the allegation of rape, and it is better to wait till probe is before coming to a conclusion. Here are some important points in the report that Wire didn’t mention in their article, respite having the complete report.
Towards the beginning of the report prepared by the Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Hospital under Aligarh Muslim University, where the girl was admitted, it is mentioned the patient was admitted on 14th September, and the history of patient illness states, “as alleged by the informant, an unknown person strangulated the neck of the patient from behind with dupatta while she was doing some work in the fields.” The informant was the father of the girl, Om Prakash. This shows, the very first official record of the incident didn’t mention rape, and it said that the girl was attacked by one person. The report also records that the girl was conscious when she was brought to the hospital.
Statement of father of Hathras victim on 14 September
The detailed observation of the physical condition of the victim as recorded in the report mentions the injury mark on neck, which matches with the father’s statement that she was strangulated. The report does not mention any sexual assault in this section.
On 22nd September, the hospital asked for a magistrate to record the dying declaration of the victim, as her condition has become critical. It was at this stage that the allegation of rape was first made, including the allegation of involvement of more than one attacker. The report recorded on 22 September contains a statement by her father, where it says, “as alleged by the informant, the survivor was sexually assaulted by four known persons of the same village when she was doing some work in the fields of village Bulgarhi on 14/09/2020 at 9:00am”.
Statement of father of Hathras victim on 22 September
Therefore, the father’s statement changed from “strangulation by an unknown person” to “sexual assault by four known persons” in one week, a significant change.
After the new charges were levelled, a forensic examination for sexual assault was conducted, details of which are mentioned in the report.
Under the ‘Details provided by the survivor’ section in the forensic examination, the report mentions the names of the assailants as Sandeep, Ramu, Luvkush and Ravi from the same village, and it mentions vaginal penetration by penis as reported in the Wire report. But it does not mention whether all four were involved in the rape.
One important factor in determining rape cases is examination of the body of victim under ultraviolet light. But the report says the UV examination was not done as the body was wiped several times. This is because rape charge was levelled one week after admission at the hospital, and thus important evidence was lost, if the allegation is true.
The report mentions four healed abrasion on back and buttocks, but no injury is reported in the genitalia. The forensic examination found no injuries at Labia majora, labia minora, urethra, hymen, vagina, fourchette and perineum, which is recorded in the report that the Wire is quoting.
The speculum examination contained in the report says “no abnormality detected, cervix and vagina healthy”.
The opinion of the doctor performing the examination mentioned in the report says, “On the basis of examination I am of the opinion that there are signs of force however opinion regarding penetrative intercourse is reserved pending availability of FLS reports”. This clearly said that the report has reserved the opinion regarding the rape charge, it has not confirmed it as Wire is wrongly claiming. The ‘signs of force’ mentioned in the opinion refers to the physical attack on the girl, as there is no mention of any sexual attack in the report, and it didn’t find any injury to the genital parts.
The opinion of the report
It is notable that the vaginal and perineal swab was collected for test in forensic science laboratory, apart from swabs from several other organs as per standard practice. According to recent reports, the FSL report has also come and it has denied the rape allegations. Times of India journalist Arvind Chauhan has posted a final opinion report from the Department of Forensic Medicine of the Aligarh Muslim University, which says that there is no sign of vaginal/anal intercourse. It also says there are evidences of physical assault and there are injury marks on neck and back, which matches with the medical report prepared by Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Hospital.
Therefore, the only evidence of rape in the case remains the statement of the victim. It is important to note that a dying declaration of the victim is important evidence, and the courts can even convict the accused based on this alone, in the absence of any other evidence. But the fact remains that the allegation has not been supported by any medical or forensic report as The Wire is claiming. The report prepared by JNMCH does not confirm rape, it only contains the statement by the victim and the second statement by father mentioning rape. There is no remark by any doctor or any medical examination report confirming rape as alleged by The Wire.
Khurjnagar Police has arrested Uttar Pradesh Congress District Vice President Nizam Malik for announcing a bounty of one crore for killing four accused in Hathras case. He was found saying, “Those who have raped the girl should be hanged. Those who will bring their heads our community will give them a reward of Rs 1 crore.”
उक्त संबंध में तत्काल थाना खुर्जानगर पर समुचित धाराओं में अभियोग पंजीकृत कर अभियुक्त को गिरफ्तार कर लिया गया है।
After the video went viral on social media, Khurjnagar Police arrested him for making the said statement. Bulandshahr police posted, “the accused has been arrested after registering the prosecution under proper sections at Khurjnagar police station.”
Hathras Case
The case has attracted a lot of controversies. There has been political mudslinging has been happening around the Hathras case since the victim succumbed to her injuries in Delhi’s Safdarjung hospital on Tuesday morning. The victim was allegedly raped two weeks ago. Some reports claimed Hathras Police forcefully cremated the girl on Tuesday night without consent of the family members. The police had later stated that the victim’s father was present during the cremation which attracted nationwide outrage.
Speaking to ANI, ADG Prashant Kumar had informed that the forensic reports that were awaited have also been received. ADG stated that the FSL report found no evidence of ‘rape’. He asserted that it was concluded that there was no sexual assault, and the cause of death was strangulation and injury to the spine.
The police had stated that the victim had bitten her tongue, and had suffered injuries on her spine because of the brutal strangulation. The victim had later stated to the police that she was gang-raped. However, the UP Police have stated that the post mortem report did not mention any injuries that may have indicated rape or sexual assault. ADG Prashant Kumar had stated that the forensic lab report of the samples collected from the victim’s body have ruled out rape or sexual assault.
On Friday morning, hundreds of anti-mask activists gathered at the Marine Drive in Mumbai to raise their voice against the government’s rule that makes it mandatory to wear masks in open public spaces.
The protestors questioned the mandatory mask-and-vaccine policy. They demanded that the government should end the lockdown. According to the protestors, they have the right to choose the treatment they want to get, and there should be no compulsion on them to get tested for the Covid-19 infection in any case.
Meet ‘Anti-Maskers’ of Mumbai. These protesters came together under the banner of ‘Awaken India’ at Marine Drive on Friday against the government’s mandatory mask policy and demanded an end to the lockdown. #coronaviruspic.twitter.com/UyIkSNnQXn
The protest was supposed to occur at the Gandhi statue opposite Mantralaya at 11 am, but it was shifted to Marine Drive when police took away their banners and were forced to leave. 23-year-old activist Yohan Tengra said that people are facing breathing problems because of the masks. “We are not against people wearing masks, but it should not be forced upon them,” he added.
The anti-maskers across the world
In the last few months, the anti-mask movement is gaining momentum across the world with bizarre theories like they cause breathing problems, or it is a government’s propaganda to instigate fear among the masses. Amid the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic, wearing a mask is one of the top precautions being suggested by the doctors.
In the United States of America, people are refusing to wear a mask, claiming they have health issues, or it is against their right to breathe freely if they wear masks. While most establishments across the world have “no mask, no entry” rule imposed, these anti-maskers are creating a problem for the business owners and putting people around them at risk of getting Covid-19 infection.
Involvement of Feroze Mithiborwala
One of the protestors that were raising voice against the mandatory mask order was Feroze Mithiborwala. He is researching the alleged New World Order for more than 23 years. Though, according to Mid-Day, he was not into the “conspiracy theories,” he believes that the fear that is being created around Covid-19 is only to put money in the pockets of big pharma and tech companies. “I am convinced that this virus is a bio-weapon that has been unleashed upon the world,” he added.
He alleged that N95 masks are a ‘sham’ and only create a placebo effect. In reality, according to him, wearing a mask is more dangerous as the person will breathe back Carbon Dioxide captured within the masks. He said, “If people feel they are safe wearing masks, then please do. But others who don’t feel comfortable, it shouldn’t be forced upon them.”
Controversies around Feroze Mithiborwala
Mithiborwala is not new to controversies. He was an active part of the anti-CAA protests that went for around four months before the lockdown was imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. During the protests, he found the so-called uprising a welcoming move as “[Mumbai doesn’t] have student elections and politics like in Delhi.”
He was served notice under Sections 107 and 111 of the Code of Criminal Procedure for his association with the protests. He appeared before Assistant Commissioner of Police (Tardeo division) Vinay Gadgil, after which his lawyer said that the meeting went smoothly.
Mithiborwala also wrote an article in 2015 in which he alleged that the terrorist attack in France was fake. In his article, while talking in favor of the March of Unity, he said, “The ‘March for Unity’ has shown the way as to how nations should respond to mass psychosis and fear that are generated after massive terror attacks that are increasingly becoming the norm.”
According to him, the march reaffirmed people of France’s commitment to combat. “The marchers also reaffirmed their commitment to combat terror, religious fanaticism, racism, and hate-mongering by the anti-immigrant Neo-Nazis and sections of the corporate media. We also condemn the terror attack on Charlie Hebdo and the Jewish Supermarket, where 17 people lost their lives.”
