This is in response to the report “Five suspects in custody over India cousins gang rape” in Saudi Gazette (May 31). The recent incident that saw two teenage girls — cousins aged 14 and 15, belonging to the socially backward section of society — gang raped and murdered has greatly shocked the nation. The girls' bodies were found hanging from a mango tree at Katra Shahadatganj village of Badaun, in Uttar Pradesh, and the incident has not only scarred India's image but also created a fear psychosis in the minds of parents all over the nation. The incident is unfortunate and highly condemnable. We, Indians, need to bow our heads in shame. The culture of rape has become set in the male psyche in India. This incident opened a Pandora's Box, out of which repugnant facts have come out to hold a mirror to Indian society. It is shocking to read that in Uttar Pradesh there is on an average 10 rapes a day. It's really a shame for Uttar Pradesh government and Indian society that today in 21st century women are unsafe. This country needs awareness and re-education on sex and respect for women. It is also important to bring the killers of the two girls to justice. As a human being my heart goes out to the girl's parents and family. May God give them strength and wisdom to cope with this tremendous loss. Prior to this incident, many Indians knew Badaun as the village from where the famous Bollywood lyricist Shakeel Badayuni hailed. But today, Badaun is immediately remembered for the wrong reasons. Mir Gazanfar Ali Zaki, Jeddah.
