The man behind this initiative, Zubin Driver, says "In recent times India has been experiencing a rise in gender-crimes. From groping instances that every woman faces in public transport to violent rape, the number and frequency of crimes against women is increasing. These incidents spark off a fixed pattern of responses in people. An event takes place, the media responds, the state machinery responds, an NGO takes up the issue for a while, a certain threshold of public reaction is created and then the whole issue slowly fades out. Indians today refuse to act collectively on issues that affect them. 'Fight Back' is a movement that will function to break this pattern and hopefully create a new cycle of action."
The Fight Back team wants to get the public involved in this noble cause and what better way to do this than campaign at local colleges? Divya Talwar, assistant director, promotions, Network 18, says, "We want to involve all colleges of Mumbai. We aren't targeting any specific group; we want all women and men to be a part of this movement. We have many student members from colleges like Sophia, SNDT and HR. People are joining in from different fields and I'm sure anyone who is a little concerned about this issue and wants to make a difference will join this campaign."
South Mumbai-based Manav Parekh, copywriter at Hungama, who is a Fight Back Team Member, says "It's an issue which we all know exists. We know if we actively do something about this situation, the problem can be kept under check." Similarly, Andheri-based Rohit Singh, a Fight Back student member, says "The memory of the heinous crime committed on New Year's Day, against the two ladies, is fresh in my mind. Keeping quiet against a crime is equivalent to committing the crime yourself, so I felt highly motivated to contribute to this relevant cause." Navi Mumbai-based Priyanka Chopra, student of SNDT and a Fight Back Member, says "Often, at public places, I see guys eve teasing girls. Gender-crime in Mumbai has increased in the past few years. Only we citizens can make a difference and bring about change."
Gender No Bar
One tends to presume that when it comes to problems that victimise women, like eve teasing and molestation, it is the women themselves who crusade against the perpetrators. However, Fight-Back has succeeded in provoking many male citizens to join in. Singh exclaims, "Being a man, it pains me more to see such hideous crimes being committed against women. If we keep quite today for somebody else's family, tomorrow it could happen to ours. And it's a question about the safety of the people; be it crime against men or women, it is a crime against humanity. I believe everyone should rise against it." Parekh asserts, "There are a bunch of perverts out there who don't deserve to roam freely on the streets. It is essential to educate men as they are the reason why this movement has come into existence in the first place."
Mumbai: Safe No More?
Mumbai is deemed to be the safest city in India, in terms of the safety of women in public. But is this safety-quotient of Mumbai hyped and can we continue calling Mumbai a safe place, given the recent molestation case? Opinions vary. Driver exclaims, "Mumbai is not a safe place at all. Cases of molestation have been reported repeatedly in the city." Talwar concurs, "We need to accept that Mumbai is not safe. Gender crime is mounting. People ought to know what's happening to their city and bring about the necessary change."
While some team members think Mumbai has lost its 'safe' tag, others still have hope. Singh says, "I still have faith in the cosmopolitan spirit of Mumbai. It is one of the most gender-equal cities in India. Women are safer in Mumbai as compared to other places. It is our responsibility as aware citizens to protect the sanctity of the city." Parekh adds, "Our belief that its still a safe place is bound to change if we do not 'Fight Back'!"
What Mumbaikars can expect from 'Fight-Back'
•A national contest that will ask students to come up with plays/films that showcase how people can fight back. The creative pieces will be performed or displayed in the local area that they are produced in
•These pieces will also be included in the national festival which can become a national traveling festival
•Film work from the festival/excerpts from the plays will also be aired on CNBC TV 18's 'Through the Looking Glass' as a special 'Fight Back' series
•A website 'fight-back.net' (currently under construction) that will embody the values of Fight-back and act as a source of information for questions like 'Who should one call if one is harassed?', 'What does the law provide?', 'Where can you get free legal aid/counseling?', rules about RTI, rules about how to file a complaint, etc
•A strong publicity drive using enlightened journalists, opinion leaders and artists that will help snowball 'Fight Back' into a mass movement
•An interactive and regular series of campaigns that keep 'Fight Back' in the popular imagination at all times
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