#JusticeForChildren – What Is Really Justice?

Justice for me, and justice for you, and not justice just for the who’s who!

Each time there is a heinous crime, the media frenzy, dinner party talk and more often than not the whatsapp chatter – all just take off – they want justice, they want it now – everyone’s screaming castrate, drive over them, hang in public, lynch, shame. Does anyone realise all of this is just post facto, the crime done, we seek justice in retaliation – the perpetrator is given the highest order of punishment – but has anyone stopped to think – what will we achieve? More often than not what resonates “it will put the fear of GOD in anyone who now even thinks about infringing on ‘personal space’”. My question is, fear of GOD, for those who believe is good – and in our society mostly everyone is god-fearing – but how do you answer the question on where was god in the temple when one of these crimes was conducted multiple times… the individual either dead or alive will be remembered by the millions viewing for a couple of days, a year, 2 may be more – but the crime done, justice sought – we move on, until the next one, then the next public outrage.

I do want justice too and for me, justice is – this crime and its many versions never happen again – that for me is justice. It’s a big dream, a far horizon, which will go farther if we don’t stand up JUST NOW, and BE THE CHANGE. Why wait for anyone to step in and help us, we can do this all ourselves – Why can’t each “I” wake up this morning and say – I pledge to change my sphere of influence, be it my home, my place of work – just build basic respect for another human – start the change from my small unit of influence. Take a stand, start making it clear in our homes, that we will not stand for any form of disrespect to any person in any form – physical or mental. For the more fortunate, safety may already exists in our homes, how about checking with our domestic help – a factory worker – a patient in our clinic – our vegetable vendor – just pledge to help change the lives of 2 other people – ask them to question being disrespected, help them lift themselves up and drive the change for a safer ‘just now’ – bit by bit… lets all get safer… let’s atleast make an effort?

Just signing a petition is not enough to seek this change – waiting for some sweep stake governance wont help – why cant you imagine a world when you can let your children out to play happily in an ungated society, without someone keeping hawk eye vision, imagine your next street shopping expedition without having to keep your elbows out, your next visit to he mall – letting your children walk ahead of you instead of your clutching their hands lest someone infringe or take advantage of their personal space.

I am but a small drop in this ocean, and but each ‘I’ can fill the ocean, so please mommies, daddies, grannies, grandpas, aunts, uncles, friends and foes just wake up, start influencing your sphere, be the change we need. Don’t silently withdraw from the conversation saying – we want justice and then wait for the next crime to happen!

Photo Credit: Citizens for Justice and Peace

Photo Credits : CJP

Words By : Gayatri Babbar

Gayatri Babbar is a mother, a professional and active community citizen concerned with children’s issues.

COMMENTS

12 thoughts on “#JusticeForChildren – What Is Really Justice?

  1. Vivek Singla

    You are correct. We need to see beyond this media frenzy and need to create protective environment also apart from ensuring this heinous crime gets punished appropriately.

    Reply
  2. Sudeep

    Completely echo the thought. The root of all problems…and hence all solutions too…is us and “I”. And that’s where the change can start too. Thanks for putting this into words.

    Reply
  3. Madhu Singh

    I agree . I will make the change where I stand. It is the way forward. Well said Gayatri. Enough discussion has happened.

    Reply
  4. Naveender

    It’s a shame and death of a Society when we become passive spectator’s to what’s going on . Please for God’s sake come alive and live with your heads held high instead of waving cell phones, car’s and money! Raose you voice against all wrongs.
    Give justice to the little girl’, or posterity Will Not forgive you.
    Please next time Never vote for a party! Vote for only the candidate if you sure about Him/Her, Otherwise Vote NOTA! Please no more compromise!

    Reply
  5. Anita Raina

    Very well said Gayatri, words and sympathies need to be followed with action. Changing the thought process and accountability for the public , politicians and law enforcement . Social change occurs with long sustained social action. Proud of you

    Reply
  6. Anita Raina

    Very well said Gayatri, words and sympathies need to be followed with action. Changing the thought process and accountability for the public , politicians and law enforcement . Social change occurs with long sustained social action. Proud of you

    Reply
  7. Kashyap Gupta

    I agree and pledge that consciously I would ensure that my circle of influence is not disrespected in any form and I shall voice it out if and when it happens. We need to practice prohibition than redressal and that’s the way forward.

    Reply
  8. Dominic Pereira

    Well said Gayatri!!…
    The circle of Influence for each individual are the zillion people we come across in our daily life! From the “doodh wala”, “Subzi wala” “Kude wala” to all the “Bhaiya’s” who are being refereed to in our local dialect. Funny enough the word “Bhaiya” literally meaning a Brother or Bhai which no longer holds the same significance while it may be uttered with a condescending effect! Or even better the way of starting a conversation or even ordering at a fast food joint begins with a “EXCUSE ME” instead of greeting the person!

    Our kids only learn to greet in School and which is learnt to be meant for only teachers!! and not outside!!
    Our kids are forgetting to SMILE
    Our kids are brought up to throw stones at stray animals stating that the animal will bite! They learn to stop respecting LIFE at an early age!
    Our kids are brought up as Boys v/s Girls, Boys v/s Girl tasks, Boys v/s Girl aspirations and goals
    Our kids learn that Traffic Rules are only meant for classrooms where every parent here is guilty of ABUSING traffic rules early in the morning while dropping their kids to schools while swearing at those who follow rules!
    Our kids learn that the only way ahead is by ensuring NO ONE gets ahead of them be it in traffic or in LIFE!
    Its a pity and shame! Yet a reality of our life today in our very own democratic, secular and republic Nation!

    The least we can do probably is really mean what we say and treat every Human with humanity instead of just as you rightly say – “just tweeting or putting it on social media” is not good enough when we cant even treat the humans we connect daily with RESPECT!
    Well as in the words of Mother Teresa – we cant resolve for world hunger – lets begin with just feeding one hungry person!
    Lets pledge to ourselves to TREAT each and everyone with RESPECT! as a start!

    Reply
    1. Lina

      Very well written Gayatri. Expressed all my feelings on the topic. Must keep in mind during all interaction with everyone.

      Reply
  9. Kathy Suri

    So often after an horrific event, everyone, officials especially, share their ‘thoughts and prayers ‘. So far, none of those thoughts and prayers have been sufficient to stop any bullets
    Yes, each of us must do our part to guide our children to become respectful of everyone around us, those who command and those who serve
    Wish I had an answer for our elected officials who seem to have no such concept

    Reply

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