IT'S ALWAYS A CRIMINAL, NOT A MAN

As we journey through the Indian Railway, it's hard to miss those familiar warning boards, reminding us to be mindful of our actions. But have you ever stopped to think about whose safety these warnings prioritize? "Harassing women passengers is a punishable offense," they boldly declare. But what about men who find themselves in similar distressing situations? Are their voices being heard?

Feminism champions equality for all, not the vilification of one gender over another. Yet, in our fight against crimes like rape and harassment, why do we sometimes seem to be pitting men against women? Let's be clear: crime knows no gender. It's the actions of criminals that we should condemn not entire genders.

It's true—men too face harassment, molestation, and yes, even rape. Yet often their struggles go unacknowledged, their voices unheard. Why is it that society seems quick to believe women and dismiss men's experiences?

Take, for instance, public transport. While it's vital to provide seating for pregnant women, the elderly, and those with disabilities, should gender alone determine who gets a seat? Aren't young women just as capable of standing for short journeys? Perhaps it's time we rethink these gender-based privileges. The reduction of incidents against women cannot be achieved solely through the reservation of seats. It necessitates the implementation of a robust security and judicial system.

Our honorable home minister, Amit Shah promised gender-neutral laws, yet are they truly neutral? Laws like "outraging the modesty of a woman" seem to overlook the plight of male victims. In 2020 alone, over 7,000 cases of assault on men were reported in India. By neglecting male victims, we deny them justice and perpetuate inequality.

Consider adultery laws. Why is it that when a man strays, it's a crime, but when a woman does the same, it's not? Mental harassment by partners, a reality for many men, often goes unnoticed by the law. It's high time we address these biases.

Yes, women have faced—and continue to face—significant challenges. But let's not paint all women with the same brush. Today, 75% of women are educated, independent, and benefiting from government incentives that men can only dream of. It's not about victimizing women; it's about uplifting those in need.

It's imperative for our society to shift its focus from being woman-centric to embracing gender neutrality. We must dispel the notion that women are always right and that men are automatically to blame. Such entrenched beliefs provide women with unchecked power, leading to its potential misuse. In today's world, clinging to these ideas only perpetuates inequality and enables injustices. Therefore, it's crucial that we foster a culture of fairness and accountability, where individuals are judged based on their actions rather than their gender.

We must recognize that crimes affect both men and women. Our goal should be to eradicate evil from society, not to pit one gender against the other. Let's stand together, recognizing that a criminal is a criminal, regardless of gender. It's time for true equality—for everyone.