Six Years After Nirbhaya, A Dastango Decodes ‘Why Men Rape’
On the eve of Nirbhaya, listen to a dastango tell you ‘why men rape?’
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Video Editor: Puneet Bhatia
Why do men rape? Do they rape in the name of culture, love, protection?... Or just because they are men?
On 16 December 2012, the entire nation suffered a jolt. The brutal gang-rape of a 23-year-old physiotherapy student who succumbed to her injuries brought the entire country to a halt. There were protests, candle vigils and collective outrage on what transpired. Since then, new laws were bought in, and the safety of women was an issue much bandied about. But, six years later, what has actually changed?
Dastan-e-Rape
Dastangoi is an old art form and The Quint is trying to revive this old art form through digital storytelling.
A dastaan is a verbally recited epic that has its origins in dastangoi – a 13th century urdu storytelling art form performed by a skilled dastango (storyteller).
We bring to you dastan-e-rape, listing the many reasons why men commit this heinous crime. ‘Unse rape ho jata hai’ has been performed by Fouzia Dastango and written by Neelima Chauhan. Fouzia is the only female dastango who kept the old art form alive in India.
They don’t choose to rape, it just happens
They don't fear our existence
Or fall when we rise
They don’t shrink as we spread our wings
It’s just that they happen to rape
Our choices don't make them mad
Our shine doesn't blind them
When we blossom, they don't wilt
It’s just that they happen to rape
They don't fall back when we ace
They are not burnt in our fire
They don't rage when we say 'no'
It’s just that they happen to rape
Our pride doesn't blow them away
They ‘re not maddened when we soar
Our wisdom doesn't leave them baffled
It’s just that they happen to rape
Our words don't entangle them
Our magic doesn't make them slip
When we put our foot down, they're not mad
It’s just that they happen to rape
Our talents don't bother them
Our dominance doesn't leave them scared
A crowd of us doesn’t frighten them
It’s just that they happen to rape
In the name of love, protection, culture
They just happen to rape
In the name of justice, lesson, religion
They just happen to rape
In the name of masculinity, strength, politics
They just happen to rape
In the name of pride and caste
They just happen to rape
In the name of community, borders and country
They just happen to rape
Because they are men so for no real reason, everytime, all the time
Rape just happens...
(The following lines are the translated version of the original urdu version)
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