Dr. Sarangi's vibes - 16-10-2018

Friends,

Of late MeToo is a much discussed subject in print and electronic media. The courage of those who have been victims of sexual harassment and have decided to let the world know of their harrowing ordeal is indeed commendable. Yesterday one of our friends reminded us of the tremendous tenacity shown by Mrs. Rupan Deol Bajaj, a Punjab Cadre IAS officer who lodged a complaint in July 1988 against the mighty police officer K P S Gill for molestation. She had to undergo a grueling time, often being pressurized to withdraw the complaint. She and her husband, another IAS officer, had to suffer harassment in their cadre. But there were many who supported their brave action and ultimately she was vindicated by the judgment of the Supreme Court in2005.

The movement that has started now will undoubtedly stir the conscience of the nation and will have a perceptible impact on sexual harassment at work place or at other platforms where legitimate entitlements are denied unless a price is paid. Unfortunately, the offenders often have the wherewithal to employ a battery of lawyers and our law courts are liberal in allowing adjournments. How many of us now remember the Tarun Tejpal matter, which was an open and shut case in November 2013, but is cooling its heels in some obscure court in Goa for the last five years?   

Shri Satya Narayan Sahu, an acknowledged Gandhian scholar, has dealt with a related subject today.  So we have another installment of a brilliant article by him. He has taken great pains to search the archives on the subject and come out with a priceless nugget to give us a historical perspective.

On this occasion I also thought it appropriate to attach a video clip on Gandhiji’s  favourite bhajan Vaishnava Janato……..The rendering is unique since the bhajan is sung by singers from a number of countries, ranging from Nepal to Azerbaijan. 

Hope you will enjoy! 

Happy Dussehra!

Mrutyunjay Sarangi