The most unfortunate event that the year ended and the new one started with was hundreds of women, out on the streets of Bengaluru, were harassed by a mob of men on New Year’s Eve. The incident has shaken up the ethics of the Indian society and raised several questions about the mentality and attitude of Indians.
Many celebrities and politicians have expressed their opinions and disgust at the happenings of such events. While there are politicians like Abu Azmi who have every now and then made statements claiming it’s the fault ‘woman who party’ and that women are as equally responsible for such acts against them if not entirely.
On Friday, Indian cricket captain, Virat Kohli took to Twitter to share a strong and heartfelt message condemning the happenings in Bengaluru.
He said that those who watched in silence when women were being molested in Bengaluru have “no right to call themselves men.” He also said that he feels ashamed to be a part of such a society.
He continued: “What happened in Bangalore is really really disturbing. To see something like that happening to the girls and for people to watch and not do anything about it is a cowardly act. Those people have no right to call themselves men.”
“I would like to ask a question, God forbid, if something like that happened to someone in your family, would you stand and watch or would you help? These things are allowed to happen because people stand there and watch it and they are absolutely fine with it. That’s why these things happen to a girl.”
“Just because she is wearing short clothes. It’s her life and it’s her decision, her choice and for men to accept that it is an opportunity to get away doing this and men in power defending it is absolutely horrible.”
“The fact that these things are in certain people’s heads and is acceptable to a certain degree, it’s disturbing and it’s shocking and I am ashamed to be a part of that society.”
“I think we need to change our thinking, treat men and women in the same way, be respectful, and treat women with some compassion and put yourself in that situation and think what if we were the family members of those girls. How would we feel about it?” he concluded.
The need of the hour is for these popular faces who have mass followers and are idols to millions of people, stand up and condemn such an act.
This country should be safe & equal for all. Women shouldn’t be treated differently. Let’s stand together & put an end to such pathetic acts pic.twitter.com/bD0vOV2I2P
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) January 6, 2017
Change your thinking and the world will change around you. pic.twitter.com/FinDIYv2aV
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) January 6, 2017
