A year ago, India was shaken by a pent-up female fury demanding action against sexual harassment at the hands of male colleagues, both superior as well as subordinate, as well as strangers. A simmering cauldron of rage and resentment has lingered both against official apathy and India's reigning patriarchal mindset.
In December, a young student was gang-raped. The question that young men and women asked themselves as she lay in hospital was what crime she had committed to have been meted out such horrifying punishment. After her death, the rousing of a collective conscience led to the setting up of fast-track courts to look into sexual offences against women, a gesture that had been waiting an eternity to happen.
The five men who had raped her were the first to be found guilty in that court, with the special prosecutor marshalling evidence as varied as injuries from teeth marks to the weapons used to assault her and her male friend on that bus.
Then the Indian parliament passed into law a bill on sexual harassment in the workplace that had been on hold since the supreme court issued guidelines for the redressal of sexual offences in 1997, following the rape of a Rajasthan social worker, Bhanwari Devi, in 1992.
In the last weeks and months, it seems as if a dam has broken, with women standing up to be counted. They have come out into the open, throwing away the veil of stigma and social shame that communities in South Asia usually attach to the victim, and have pointed a direct accusing finger at their aggressors. At last, it seems, the ancient codes that governed India and that gave the male child, the male adolescent and the male adult primacy of place in the rites of passage through life, could be weakening.
The attack has been led from the front by a young woman journalist in the prominent magazine Tehelka, accusing her boss of attempting to rape her in a lift in Goa, where celebrities from around the world had gathered to discuss and debate their work. The sensational accusation has transfixed India, a measure of the national interest.
The incident is not isolated. A couple of months ago, a young girl was raped inside an abandoned compound in Mumbai, where she and a photographer were reconnoitring for a fashion shoot. She lived to report her aggressors to the police. A few weeks ago, a student from a college of law in Kolkata blogged about being sexually harassed by a recently retired supreme court judge with whom she had been interning. Last week, a student from Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University complained that an official from the Indian film festival in Goa had made sexual advances, although she had repeatedly rejected him.
And it now seems that a young female architect in Gujarat in 2009 had extensive surveillance conducted on her by none other than a former minister in the Gujarat government and close confidante of BJP prime ministerial candidate and Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi, allegedly because the “sahib” or “big boss” was “enamoured” of the girl.
Indians are now wondering how the law against sexual harassment in the workplace, having been passed only earlier this year, will be implemented in each of these cases. Indeed, will it be implemented at all, or will the aggressors be allowed to get away with their crimes? Unlike the Delhi and Mumbai gang rape aggressors, who were poor and thuggish and had lived in slums all their lives, the Tehelka editor is very much part of Delhi’s elite and the Gujarat chief minister may even become prime minister. In fact, the last two cases have already acquired serious political colour, with the editor seen to be pro-Congress.
At the time of going to press, the young girl accusing her former boss at Tehelka of rape has made her statement in front of a magistrate. She says she wants justice because her “bodily integrity” has been violated, a statement thousands of other Indian women are looking at with awe and wonderment.
Incredibly, the press attention is beginning to take effect. None other than the supreme court has finally set up a unit to look into cases of sexual harassment inside its own court.
But how long will it be before the press moves on to the next story, to the next campaign, to the next blockbuster event? Can the media actually help change India’s patriarchal mindset or is it simply shining the light on the grime, provoking social institutions to begin the long haul of educating its population in a much more gender-sensitive way?
In a country where some of the most powerful leaders across the political spectrum are women, it would be natural to ask why more fundamental gender-based change has not occurred so far.
As always, there are several answers to the question, but surely one has to do with the fact that India’s male politicians have so far successfully resisted a quota for women in politics – while agreeing to quotas for several backward castes, Dalits and minority groups like Christians and Muslims.
Since sexual harassment, as it is widely acknowledged, is about power, as is politics, perhaps it is time for the twain to meet. An expansion of female power will dramatically alter the fundamentals of India as women insist that money should be better spent on health, education and the improvement of socio-economic indicators.
The journey is long and hard, but at least the fight has begun.
Jyoti Malhotra is a political and foreign affairs analyst based in Delhi
On Twitter: @jomalhotra
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
More coverage from the Future Forum
Confirmed%20bouts%20(more%20to%20be%20added)
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Fighter profiles
Gabrieli Pessanha (Brazil)
Reigning Abu Dhabi World Pro champion in the 95kg division, virtually unbeatable in her weight class. Known for her pressure game but also dangerous with her back on the mat.
Nathiely de Jesus, 23, (Brazil)
Two-time World Pro champion renowned for her aggressive game. She is tall and most feared by her opponents for both her triangles and arm-bar attacks.
Thamara Ferreira, 24, (Brazil)
Since her brown belt days, Ferreira has been dominating the 70kg, in both the World Pro and the Grand Slams. With a very aggressive game.
Samantha Cook, 32, (Britain)
One of the biggest talents coming out of Europe in recent times. She is known for a highly technical game and bringing her A game to the table as always.
Kendall Reusing, 22, (USA)
Another young gun ready to explode in the big leagues. The Californian resident is a powerhouse in the -95kg division. Her duels with Pessanha have been highlights in the Grand Slams.
Martina Gramenius, 32, (Sweden)
Already a two-time Grand Slam champion in the current season. Gramenius won golds in the 70kg, in both in Moscow and Tokyo, to earn a spot in the inaugural Queen of Mats.
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Leaderboard
63 - Mike Lorenzo-Vera (FRA)
64 - Rory McIlroy (NIR)
66 - Jon Rahm (ESP)
67 - Tom Lewis (ENG), Tommy Fleetwood (ENG)
68 - Rafael Cabrera-Bello (ESP), Marcus Kinhult (SWE)
69 - Justin Rose (ENG), Thomas Detry (BEL), Francesco Molinari (ITA), Danny Willett (ENG), Li Haotong (CHN), Matthias Schwab (AUT)
Company%20Profile
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The Bio
Favourite holiday destination: Either Kazakhstan or Montenegro. I’ve been involved in events in both countries and they are just stunning.
Favourite book: I am a huge of Robin Cook’s medical thrillers, which I suppose is quite apt right now. My mother introduced me to them back home in New Zealand.
Favourite film or television programme: Forrest Gump is my favourite film, that’s never been up for debate. I love watching repeats of Mash as well.
Inspiration: My late father moulded me into the man I am today. I would also say disappointment and sadness are great motivators. There are times when events have brought me to my knees but it has also made me determined not to let them get the better of me.
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Schedule:
Sept 15: Bangladesh v Sri Lanka (Dubai)
Sept 16: Pakistan v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 17: Sri Lanka v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 18: India v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 19: India v Pakistan (Dubai)
Sept 20: Bangladesh v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi) Super Four
Sept 21: Group A Winner v Group B Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 21: Group B Winner v Group A Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 23: Group A Winner v Group A Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 23: Group B Winner v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 25: Group A Winner v Group B Winner (Dubai)
Sept 26: Group A Runner-up v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 28: Final (Dubai)
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SPECS
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World record transfers
1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m
Dubai Rugby Sevens
November 30, December 1-2
International Vets
Christina Noble Children’s Foundation fixtures
Thursday, November 30:
10.20am, Pitch 3, v 100 World Legends Project
1.20pm, Pitch 4, v Malta Marauders
Friday, December 1:
9am, Pitch 4, v SBA Pirates
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
Meydan card
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 (PA) Group 1 US$65,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm: Conditions (TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,400m
7.40pm: UAE 2000 Guineas Trial (TB) $100,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 1,200m
8.50pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 (TB) Group 2 $350,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,900m
10pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
Destroyer
Director: Karyn Kusama
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Toby Kebbell, Sebastian Stan
Rating: 3/5
UAE release: January 31
Company%20Profile
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Greatest Royal Rumble results
John Cena pinned Triple H in a singles match
Cedric Alexander retained the WWE Cruiserweight title against Kalisto
Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt win the Raw Tag Team titles against Cesaro and Sheamus
Jeff Hardy retained the United States title against Jinder Mahal
Bludgeon Brothers retain the SmackDown Tag Team titles against the Usos
Seth Rollins retains the Intercontinental title against The Miz, Finn Balor and Samoa Joe
AJ Styles remains WWE World Heavyweight champion after he and Shinsuke Nakamura are both counted out
The Undertaker beats Rusev in a casket match
Brock Lesnar retains the WWE Universal title against Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
Braun Strowman won the 50-man Royal Rumble by eliminating Big Cass last
WHAT%20MACRO%20FACTORS%20ARE%20IMPACTING%20META%20TECH%20MARKETS%3F
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The 100 Best Novels in Translation
Boyd Tonkin, Galileo Press
MATCH INFO
World Cup qualifier
Thailand 2 (Dangda 26', Panya 51')
UAE 1 (Mabkhout 45 2')
The specs: 2018 Renault Megane
Price, base / as tested Dh52,900 / Dh59,200
Engine 1.6L in-line four-cylinder
Transmission Continuously variable transmission
Power 115hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque 156Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.6L / 100km