“Khoob Ladi Mardani Woh Toh Jhansi Wali Rani Thi”
Though these lines were written to celebrate the courage of Rani Laxmi Bai for her brave act in 1857, they still stand true for some real heroes, who are not hesitant to put up a fight for their dignity and respect.
At I For Her, we celebrate stories of these unheard warriors of showed courage in the moment of extreme adversities. But rather than celebrating their valor, our society chose to disrespect or turn a blind eye to their brave act.
One such hero is this 28-year-old mother who had to suffer the barbaric incident when she was targeted for gang rape in Rajkot.
But like a true warrior, she put up a great fight.
On Wednesday, when four anti-social elements in Riddhi Siddhi Society attempted to rape her, hardly they knew that what they were up against.
According to the survivor’s complaint, the accused barged into her house along with three other men. As he entered the house, he said – “I want to have sex with you” and tore open her clothes.
Thorala police official shared the horrific details with TOI:
“The accused, Imtiyaz’s accomplices, identified as Shahezad, Sohil Menon and an unidentified person, tried to tie the survivor to her bed in order to gang rape her.”
And, what the official shared next made us salute the courage of this heroic woman:
“However, when she resisted the attack, the accused thrashed her with the back of a country-made pistol. So badly was she beaten up that the bed she was tied to broke under the weight of her and the accused”
After the attack, this woman didn’t give up and raised a cry so hard that the neighbours rushed to rescue her. Sadly, the accused fled the spot.Â
She was chosen as a target when she was alone at her home. Her husband, an auto driver, was away and she was alone with her three children. Later, she was admitted to the Rajkot Civil Hospital.
Now, police have launched a manhunt for Imtiyaz and the co-accused. And, we hope the culprits would be arrested soon before they prey on any other women.
But, what makes this story so special and powerful is how this woman fought back with her culprits.
She didn’t give up!
She kept fighting till the end of this barbaric incident and won like a royal queen.Â
At IFORHER, we believe society needs to celebrate the courage of women, who are fighting against any form of abuse rather than succumbing into the silence of darkness because of its orthodox thinking.
Society needs to stop blaming the victims and start celebrating their courage.Â
If you believe in celebrating the courage of a common woman like you and me, then we invite you to join us to celebrate the womanhood together.