20th October’ 2011 , a youth Keenan Santos was publicly stabbed to death and his friend Ruben Fernandes died 4 days after, suffering from wounds. They were attacked by a team of 20 goons when they defended their female friends, who were being teased. They were coming out of a restaurant in Andheri,Mumbai while this incident happened. The two young boys were accompanied by five other friends.
Police produced 21 accused in a court on 3rd November’11. But are these the only ones who actually killed Keenan and Ruben ?
What about those who were standing in tens and hundreds , viewing the tussle who did not even bother to inform the police, forget about intervening ?
In an interview , one of the female friend of Keenan and Ruben , who was present that day described how the spectators turned deaf ears , while these guys were being punished for opposing eve-teasing and the girls were seeking help. She also mentioned , that even the restaurant people did not come to help , where the group used to frequently hang-out.
She explains , the Police Help-Line Number – 100, kept busy throughout and that even after the culprits left the place no one came to even pick the guys up to the hospital.
Can we just get away by blaming it all on the Police? How many are they in number? Do we need one police each by every citizen of the country ? Can we get away by claiming the city is not safe for girls , out at night ? Where is our social responsibility ? Had the bigger culprits, “the scared and curious spectators” been responsible enough, chances are high, two young guys would have been alive , today.
News channels indicate, how 25000 plus people added their support on Facebook to seek justice for Keenan’s sacrifice. Is our responsibility just limited joining a community on social sites and demand for justice after the sufferings ?
Is it not time we be the change rather blaming our law and order system ?
By this act at least I feel that India is still not a free country. Woman are still under danger as there were years ago. I would like to pray for the young soul of the boys. May their soul rest in peace. May justice be done to their family and sacrifice.
AWAKE MUMBAI.
Dear Mabel,
There is no denying that lives are yet to be getting the kind of importance they really deserve, in India. However , I have not lost hope as changing trends are visible where Indian Judicial System has been reluctant in pardoning the convicts and accussed even with high-level political and social connects,we do see ray of hopes. The goons at least know there is no escape.