Imrana...

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The Imrana case is finally being debated openly on various forums; a thin ray of hope of justice for the victim, and a society where such victimisations occur.

And we have a lady in the most powerful position of the country...
(I know Dr. Manmohan Singh is the PM)
And we have a National Commission for Women...
And we have various other institutions...
But we live in a society of vote-banks. So even those who'll oppose will oppose not because they consider the episode as violating all norms of human society, but because it caters to their own vote bank. This includes the media as well; these episodes are mere opportunities for them to multiply their reach, the more the dramatisation, the better for them.

Since childhood we've grown up learning to look the other way or keep silent as long as our own interests are achieved or not negatively affected (you're patted on the back as 'mature'). So even when somebody beside you is copying, 'honesty' at most lies in not seeing or showing your answer sheet; anything beyond that is unnecessary and risks your self interest. And anyway, by not being involved, you've managed to get your badge of honesty to boast to your own ego and to your other friends!

But even by the logic of self interest - understood properly - such courses of action are impossible to justify. It's only because we're incapable of seeing or understanding our self-interests in the long run that 'looking the other way' appears so attractive to us. Every single individual's interest is affected in the long run when things start falling apart; but by then it is too late for anybody to make any difference. But that's too far ahead into future for our everyday intelligence to cognise.

And we'll continue to be victimised till we realise this...