In midst of nation-wide outrage over the rape and murder of a 27-year-old veterinarian, Disha in Hyderabad, the Police Commissioner has issued a safety advisory for women.
Like always, the advisory issued by the police put the onus on women to stay safe rather than holding authorities and men accountable for the terror of rape. It is sad to know how our society stays away from taking responsibility to teach men to respect women and their bodies and not to violate them.
Recently, The News Minute reported the statement:
“Get to know about the route while going to an unfamiliar place. Always wait in crowded areas and in illuminated areas and not in isolated areas. Never hesitate in calling a police patrol car or patrol bike for help. They are for your safety and security.”
Additionally, the police have asked the women to share their location with family and friends and even share the number of autos and taxis with loved ones.
But, this advisory angered women across the country because it seems that police wanted women to save themselves from rape, rather than asking men not to rape them.
And hence, many women took to Twitter to express their anger and outrage as it felt to many that the police seemed to wash their hands off of the responsibility of making the streets safer for women to walk on without informing their entire family about where they are going.
Here’s what some brilliant women shared on Twitter :
Dear #hyderabadpolice what advisory have you issued to the Male section of the society?? https://t.co/jPXvzcDBk7
— Aarti Thakur (@aartithakurjha) December 2, 2019
Spots where I have almost been assaulted in #Hyderabad:
1. Masab Tank Flyover: was mistaken for a sex worker for BEING there
2. Railway Degree College Road:dark due to lack of space for lamposts on the road
3. Attapur road: was waiting for a busPolice needs advisory, not women https://t.co/87tgiN0M8x
— Megh, the descriptivist language person (@ever_ambiguous) December 2, 2019
Yes! Advisory for women to prevent rapes! Let me see…should women lock themselves in their houses? Oh wait a minute. Even then, they might not be safe! Cases of abuse at home by family members are rampant too. So, should we just stop living? Easier?
— Chandreyi (@Chandreyisengu1) December 2, 2019
To hell with your advisory @hydcitypolice. Women take a million precautions anyway. Show us the advisory issued to your police force on how to act on complaints promptly, with sensitivity. Show us an advisory for families & schools on how to stop men from raping! #JusticeForDisha https://t.co/M5CsxQ3vwf
— Anna MM Vetticad (@annavetticad) December 2, 2019
We are raped by men so for heaven’s sake issue a damn advisory for men to NOT RAPE us. Why the hell are we paying the penalty for men who are monsters? This is the fucking problem, tell your men to NOT RAPE WOMEN! Keep your damn safety advisory to yourself. #PriyankaReddy https://t.co/Y2utLHeMJ1
— Gracie (@Crabcountess) December 2, 2019
Yep! Advisory for women, impunity for men! What about doing your job Hyderabad police??? https://t.co/M4cwtNtQi0
— Madhumita (@madhuchak) December 2, 2019
At IFORHER, we stand by these courageous souls, who are raising their voices against the regressive thought process of our society. It is sad to know that we are living in times that society expects its women to give up on their freedom to feel safe.
