The Rape Test for Humanity

Sometime back in an Indian city there was the news of a gang rape. Two rapists ensnared a woman and took her to a desolate place. Then they invited all their friends to join in.

For us civilized souls this is most inhuman and horrible news. And yes, our reactions are always genuine. But, in the deep innermost parts of our mind, don't we imagine about that particular situation in detail and don't we feel a kind of macabre thrill about the whole thing. So, to say that we are humane and civilized would only be a relative statement. Maybe in altogether different circumstances we may react and act differently and our 'civilized' credentials could be at stake. A test is necessary, thus.

Let's take a very hypothetical and highly improbable situation. One guy is able to corner the most famous and most beautiful actress of the world for 'rape' intentions. He got his location safe from possible state machinery or police raids. Since group camaraderie is always the highlight in such celebrations, the rapist invited all his friends, those friends invited their near and dear ones and the news spread. The media also got wind of it; and sensing a most unusual news story, they arranged live telecast. So everybody knew and it was in 'his' control to decide whether to join in or not.

Now, if we find a sea of humanity waiting patiently for intrusive sessions with the flame in turns; if we find the media telecasting the event as it is unfolding; if we find the state machinery and the police also participating; if we find all others who are not daring enough to venture out enjoying the spectacle on TV; then, we have failed in this test. We are not civilized or humane.

But again, who is authority enough to decide? Nobody has a clue. Affirmations are likely to be clouded by allegations, suspicion, bias and right or wrong interpretations of motives. Alas, nothing can either be proved or disproved.

And the media? Well, they want sensational stories to up their rating points. Nowadays we can see in satellite news channels people being beaten to death. The cameras go on taking candid shots without a bother to intervene and save fellow human beings. Top priority is the story-the more unusual the most horrid the most explicit the better.

The fact remains that rape is always to be condemned and the rapists should always be punished in most exemplary ways, irrespective of whether we are civilized or not.