United Battle

DRIVEN to determination by continual brutal assaults on their dignity, women of Rajasthan have united to battle it out. Just as well, because after Bhanwari the state with its firebrand activists has become a crucible of the country’s feminist struggle. Realising the difficulty of trying to secure justice in the absence of collective pressure, more than 30 women’s organisations in Rajasthan have come together to form the Mahila Atyachar Virodhi Jan Andolan (MAVJA). And they have the support of over 10 Delhi-based feminist organisations. Their main demands are: punitive action to be taken against functionaries, including police, doctors and government officials, who commit irregularities during investigation; immediate relief to victims of sexual crimes; a system of transparency and accountability in investigation by the police.

"These increasing incidents of rape are manifestations of the growing casteism and fundamentalism in the state and can only be combated collectively," says Sumitra Chopra, general secretary of the Rajasthan unit of Janwadi Mahila Samiti. Agreeing heartily, Lad Kumari Jain of the Rajasthan University Women’s Association, observes that the strengthening of the feminist lobby through MAVJA might be the last possible tool to embarrass the apathetic authorities into action.

Unable to express herself as well, Dhapu Bai too is hopeful. "All of us might do it together. I alone could not have brought my plight to your notice," she says.