AWAKENING: Facebook activists burn effigy of social downfall; launch campaign for social change

New Delhi, January 14, 2013: Today, hundreds of facebook activists and that of "Aas", one of the leading social organisation of Delhi while demanding total curb on heinous crimes like gang rape also stressed the need of a radical change in the social mindset of the people and from the Jantar Mantar at New Delhi launched a constructive `Campaign for Social Change’ and  burnt effigy of "Social Downfall - Saamaajik Patan".

The demonstrators were firm of the view that only bringing change in law is not enough but change in the social mindset is all together also necessary.

The demonstrators declared to carry the campaign through social media in an effective manner and to draw the strategy a Committee of 11 persons has been formed under the Chairmanship of Varsha Goyal, the President of Aas.

The demonstration held at Jantar Mantar today was joined by large number of women and men from facebook and other social organisations, representatives of trade and RWA Associations, several leading citizens from different streams and other persons. They were holding playcards in scripting a clear and sound message of social change. The play cards read as " Kanoon mein badlav kafi nahin- Soch Main Bhi Badlav Chahiye, Mahilaon Ka Samman Kare- Aisa Hindustan Chahiye, Shasan Ka Intzar Kyon- Khud Ko Aagey Kyon Na Layen-Saamajik Soch main Ho Parivartan Aisa Ek Abhiyan Chalayen" asking a change in attitude of the society towards women.

The demonstration was led by Team Face to Face Members Vedika Om, Rakhi Softa Sharma, Salony Harmeet and Varsha Goyal, President of Aas.

While addressing the protestors noted Trade Leader and Secretary General of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) Praveen Khandelwal said that a campaign like social change is the need of the hour but simultaneously a deep study on human behaviour which gives rise to such brutal criminal act also needs to be study in order to find out the root cause. He stressed the need of inclusion of moral education in the education agenda of the government and also to understand the impact of erosion of family values on social mindset. He further said that the present shape of movies and baseless, adding TV serials have distorted the social fabric to a great extent and they should also be checked.

Human behaviour expert and member of Team Face to Face Rakshi Softa Sharma said that a study of the human psychology of the convicts reveals the fact that ugly face of the issue has been the result of distorted mentality of people due to several social reasons. Therefore, the present set up of the society does require an overhauling and for such an act the citizens should come forward on their own and will have to do a lot in balancing the social mindset.

Varsha Goyal, President of Aas strongly advocated that sound and effective protest of such a brutal attack on dignity of the women should be the focus but substantial steps are also necessary to ensure no such repetition else the social fabric of the country will receive a big jolt. The government should take a step to restore the dignity of women in India and a citizens’ movement is the need of the hour.

Vedika Om, another member of the Facebook group was quite vocal in saying that the women have lost their faith in to the system and it should evolve methods of participatory governance in putting a curb on such social crimes. A housewife Salony Harmeet said that the gang rape incident has forced the housewives to draw a conclusion that some sort of permanent solution is needed for this menace.