Where women are involved, the legal dogs may bark but the criminal caravan will pass. If episodes result in popular protest, belated but fruitless judicial enquiry may be the impotent end-product. In the larger scheme, women do not matter or at least matter less, whatever the custodial institution. The truth is that the battle for women's causes is long and hard. Gender Justice, in the Indian context, whatever the resolutions in Constitutions and discussions at international gatherings, has yet to arm the woman with the confidence that in this country she matters as a free partner a home, in public places and offices, in opportunities of economic pursuits and social status, in family rights and participation in State processes.
Man makes policies, woman is given permission to speak.
A paradigm shift is also needed . Until the last, the lost and the lowliest are salvaged, India remains unfree. Woman's rights are part of human rights. Gender justice is integral to social justice. A revolutionary perspective which battles against exploitation is the soul of the new offensive for operation women's deliverance.