When I woke up on that morning of 21st Oct 2011, the world was the same for me. Same home, same room, same bed and same routine to be followed for rest of the day. May be it was the same for many more other people like me, except for two families based in Mumbai. Families of Keenen Santos(24) and Ruben Fernandes(28) were mourning the death of these young brave hearts.
As read in the news paper and seen on news channels, I understand that a group of 4 people: Keenen, Ruben and their two female were out around 11’o clock that night. A man standing around, completely drunk teased one of the girls, and this is when the whole incident was designed by the destiny. The two guys came ahead in support of their female friends and resisted the humiliation only to further provoke that man to leave and come back within a few minutes, this time not alone.
A group of around 20 insane people was not just guarding the accused but was marching towards the young guns with horrifying intentions of settling scores. One after another, they kept on stabbing the two, with sharp knives and other weapons, punishing them to death. The girls later told the police that people around were just standing as an audience and did not intervene the murderers.
Keenan was declared dead on the same day while Ruben was declared dead in the hospital just three days later, on 24th Oct 2011.
The news shook me. I couldn’t believe we are all living in a society, where we just don’t have rules, regulations and laws to abide but also being human, it’s our responsibility to be compassionate to each other. But what is happening? Are we considerate at all? Are we civilized at all? Do we even care to think about what can we do in order to help some one when he/she’s in trouble? If we do, then is this the reward we get? Death for taking on eve teasers? When someone is killing someone for this reason, are we supposed to stand numb and dumb, and be a part indirectly.
Are we still human?
At least that group of murderers wasn’t,
We talk a lot about heroes and heroisms, but when it comes to acting on those principles,, we are lifeless. If we are lifeless, we are responsible. I am responsible. You are responsible. Everybody is responsible for death of Keenen and Ruben.
There is a lack of trust in law. But it can be reinstated by ensuring the maximum punishment possible for all the people involved in this dastardly act. Only if they will be punished hard and very hard, it shall set an example for others to not to loose their control over their senses, that might cost someone his/her life. We shall be able to fight against the bad, keeping law as our backup. Otherwise the society will only witness the birth and death of many more Keenens and Rubens.
May the brave hearts rest in piece, their bravery deserves our undeserving society’s salute.