Mumbai: Calling the recent gang-rape of a woman photojournalist in Mumbai a “wake up call”, Bollywood’s actress brigade, including Shabana azmi and juhi chawla have, said the city is not safe anymore and that the incident has sent a “shock” down everyone’s spine.
Here’s what they had to say :Shabana Azmi: This ghastly incident is a wake-up call for all Mumbaikars who revel in calling our city the safest in India . The news rape law has not instilled any fear because of lack of faith in law and order
. We nee to tackle rape at many levels. There’s a deep-rooted misogyny, and sexual assault is used as an instrument of control and power so that women are denied freedom.
Juhi Chawla: Till now I was always proud of Mumbai. It was always vibrant and your safe. Buzzing with activity at all hours, alive and throbbing with excitement. This news comes as a shocker. I hope the victim will be healed and fine. I felt worse for the fact that she is a photographer, so she may be connected to our film industry. I can’t imagine how painful and traumatic this must be for her and her family. Very tragic.
Lilettle Bubey: Shocking, shocking, and shocking. We always took pride in Mumbai for being safe women. But if looks like even garter the Delhi incident, we have learnt no lessons. Such is the nature of the beasts that it won’t change. The anti-rape laws are not detrimental enough. I am almost tempted to believe castration is the only solution.
Poja Bedi: Mumbai is definitely not going to be a safe city for women if we don’t send out a loud, stem warning to potential rapists. We need swift sentencing through fast-track courts. The hardest and severest punishment must be meted out to these rapists.
Reema Kagti: I don’t feel Mumbai or any other place in India is safe for working women.
Rich Chadha: The issue is not where if happens. But that it happens at all. The problem is with the Indian chauvinist male, who believes any women stepping out of the house is meant for him to use and abuse-be it a student or working women. Let’s not lock up our girls, let’s teach the boys home manners. And let’s have strong laws in place that act as a determent for these beasts.
Raveena Tandon: Mumbai is not safe for women. So far felt if was because of the growing number of slums in the city. But crime against women is on the rise for no given reason. I don’t think it’s safe for lone women to travel in Mumbai on public transport after dark.
. We nee to tackle rape at many levels. There’s a deep-rooted misogyny, and sexual assault is used as an instrument of control and power so that women are denied freedom.