MRare23

This is a democratic country, but if that is true, then why are women still not safe here? Every few years, we hear about horrifying rape cases, people protest for a few days, and then everything slowly fades away-until the next tragedy happens.

One of the most shocking cases was the 2012 Delhi gang rape and murder. The nation demanded justice for Nirbhaya, but one of the accused was released because he was a minor. This raises an important question: did Nirbhaya truly get justice, or did the law only protect the criminal because of his age?

A girl was brutally raped and murdered, yet the system showed mercy to one of the perpetrators simply because he was legally underage. So what message are we giving to women in this country? That a rapist can escape severe punishment if he is a minor? And what about the victim? Did she receive justice? The answer still feels incomplete.

Another heartbreaking incident involved a three-year-old girl who was allegedly raped by a school staff member. What is even more disturbing is how institutions often react in such situations. Whether it is a school or a hospital, many authorities seem more concerned about protecting their reputation than standing with the victim and her family. Their first priority becomes saving their image instead of ensuring justice.

In many cases, the accused even receive bail. It is shocking, but it also reveals how weak and slow the system can appear to ordinary people. When rapists are granted bail so easily, people begin to feel that justice has become nothing more than a joke. Meanwhile, crimes against women continue to rise, and fear continues to grow.

I also want to ask society an important question: why do we stop at candle marches? We have seen countless protests, countless candles lit for victims, yet how many victims actually received complete justice? Candle marches may show support and unity, but they alone are not enough to bring change.

This is 2026. Women should not have to live in fear. Society must do more than express temporary outrage. We need stronger laws, faster justice, better safety measures, and a mindset that truly respects women. People must stand together, raise their voices, and demand accountability from the system.

This is not the time for silence or symbolic gestures alone. This is the time to stand for women and fight for real change.