I was 17 when this incident happened when I was still in college. It affected me in ways I cannot explain. I remember being angry and every one I know was angry. People in my college organized prayers and vigils in the wake of the incident.We were told about the details of the this gruesome event. My own emotions went from uncontrollable rage to a feeling of powerlessness for not being able to do anything. "Nirbhaya"(fearless) as we called her, was no different from my own sister who is also a med student. She was ambitious, affectionate and hardworking. The weeks following the incident were intense, everyone was talking about it. 2 to 3 pages on all major news papers were covering rape. I remember the older people saying it was nothing like they have ever seen. The trail was sped up and the perpetrators were sentenced to death. Rape still today is reported in the front pages of Indian newspapers. Its a real problem and there is still a very long way to go.The international media eventually took notice, and started reporting world wide. Then came the problem, people in the west have started taking notice and terms such as "rape culture" "rape problem" and "rape capital" started to emerge. I myself was called a rapist more than once on the internet by some one claiming to be from the west. Their intention of course(or hopefully) was that this would force the people/govt to act. This put people on the defensive, making them quote rape statistics which again made them look like they are denying the problem. I wouldn't go into details of how it is exactly hurting the feminist movement in India. Leslie udwin's movie somewhat seems to be along those lines. It was meant for an international audience hence it could have been more detailed. Some Indians saw it as demeaning and showing only a part of the country. The credit for highlighting this issue and forcing the Indian govt to change rape laws in the country goes to Indian feminist and the fight forward will be by them and them only. Not by keyboard warriors sitting in their homes in the west. Leslie udwin seems to me as nothing but an opportunistic person causing more harm than good. This film is not that well researched either. It doesn't tell the history of rape law in India or doesn't go into the details of the patriarchal mentality.It also doesn't tell the class divide in India either, where in how old and new India are clashing. To me it seems like a movie where people watching can go "I'm glad that I wasn't born there". No solution was presented. There was also some "white" lady from London describing India as if the producers can't find an Indian to do the job and do it better. "Nirbhaya's" ordeal is an eye opener, This country will never be the same as it was before this event. The solution to equality is long and difficult. Also, This documentary was banned in India because of the statements made by the person under death row. The first trail of these men was some what a media trail. The appeals court wants to make sure correct justice is served with out it being a media controlled event.
Review of India's Daughter
