Another young man died on Monday evening. Maybe you were too busy worrying about whether Metallica would play in Bangalore or not… Maybe you were caught up in the excitement and afterglow of India’s premier Formula 1 race in Delhi… Maybe the success or failure of Ra One was the concerning factor of the weekend… Maybe you were feverishly awaiting the arrival of the world’s seven billionth baby… Maybe you just don’t care.
The young man’s name is Reuben Fernandez. I say “is” because I don’t want to think of him as a “Was” and I don’t want to forget.
I’m sure most of you have read the reports of what happened. Here’s the gist.
Some days ago a group of young friends had gone to their favourite restaurant in Bombay to grab a bite. Meal done, they stopped at a paan shop outside. Keenan Santos was one of the group, and as they were standing there a drunk man fell on his girlfriend and made some lewd comments. Keenan and Reuben had a heated verbal exchange and pushed him away. The man, now identified as Rana, swore he’d be back later to settle scores… And he did. Rana came back shortly with re-enforcements. 3 friends, Sunil Both, Satish Durgaj, and Deepak and a bunch of others armed with swords and knives. They stabbed Keenan first and when Reuben tried to help, stabbed him too. Keenan and Reuben were rushed to Kokilaben hospital. Keenan was pronounced dead at 1am that night and Reuben finally also succumbed to injuries days later… And for what? Someone’s bruised sense of Indian Machismo?
Even worse, when police investigators went to the locality where the suspects lived, they were roughed up by friends and family. Evidently, it’s perfectly acceptable to murder someone in Bombay especially with your relatives behind you. The funny thing is, these people who sexually harass women in public, are the same people who would proudly protect their family’s honour if their mothers or sisters were ever attacked or abused.
The four have been arrested now. They’ll probably say it was ‘self defence’ and the Police will probably say that the girl was asking for it anyway, why was she standing with boys outside a bar? It’s all her fault… until the next incident like this happens.
Why should you care, you ask. Well the answer is quite simple. Keenan and Reuben could have been you… It could have been me… and that damn well scares the hell out of me.
India, “Shining”? I think not.
Thanks for reading as always.
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