It was hard to believe that Satyamev Jayate Season 2 was about to commence. After all, there was no noise made through the extensive promotions like last time. But like the first season, the promos gave no indication as to what to expect from the new season. Many questions aroused in my mind. Will the format be altered? Will Aamir Khan speak about the upcoming elections? Or will it be same like last time?

Fortunately or unfortunately, the third question gets an affirmative answer. The show commenced with the same old beautiful title song. Everything remain unchanged – the set, the format and also the host – Mr Aamir Khan. It seemed like the first season is back after an extended break. And the topic of the day was the one that’s on top of everybody minds – the growing rapes in the country. Post the Nirbhaya and Shakti Mills Rape Cases, one was exposed to loads of information about the problems faced by womenfolk in India, the need to make some changes in our system etc. Aamir touches upon these issues but at the same time, educates viewers about their rights and duties of rape survivors, in police station or hospital. And yes, he does bring guests on the show that had some most uncomfortable stories to share.

As aforementioned, while one may be aware of several things discussed in the show, one might steel feel numb as the survivors narrated their tale and the ordeal that they went through. The trauma of a survivor doesn’t end with the forced sexual act – it continues as she visits the hospital, police station and finally the honourable courts. Some of the stories narrated by the survivors would make one feel ashamed of being an Indian.

An overnight solution for rapes definitely can’t be thought of. But Aamir does give an insight on the measures that the concerned authorities can take when dealing with a rape survivor. The ‘One-Stop-Rape-Crisis-Center’ was a great idea and hope it gets implemented throughout the country. The other solutions – stringent implementation of law and change of mindset towards the victim – will take time but here’s hoping that happens soon.

Aamir and his team yet once take a comprehensive look at the situation but one wishes he could have done slightly more in the 2-hour long episode. The episode in the beginning portions explained how cops are hesitant in filing a rape complaint. But no attempt was made to explain why the cops do so, in the first place. Agreed that political pressures compel cops to do so and the show wants to stay away from the wrath of our netas. But one important fact was overlooked that cops’ personal prejudices too come in the way of their duty. ‘The-girl-must-be-responsible’ is the attitude most of the times or in other words, the rapist and the cops think on the same lines! Maybe, a little more light could have been thrown on this aspect. Secondly, Sangeeta Rege (of CEHAT) claimed how medical textbooks mention that doctors are supposed to look at rape survivors with suspicion! I cross-checked this with friends who have studied medicine and they all confirmed that this piece of information isn’t true. Perhaps, what Sangeeta claimed isn’t the case here in Maharashtra but is prevalent in some other states. And I hope that’s the case as it’ll be disheartening if an honorable show like Satyamev Jayate faces brickbats for something of this sort!

As expected, the show ended with a touching song. After the uproar over Nirbhaya and Shakti Mill Cases, the anger among the people came out in full force only to subside in some time. Crimes against women meanwhile went on like usual. I don’t know how much will the episode will help in bringing a change in society but even if does in a small way, India would surely be a better place. And hopefully, we can once again pride ourselves to be ‘pucca Indians’.

“To call woman the weaker sex is a libel; it is man's injustice to woman. If by strength is meant brute strength, then, indeed, is woman less brute than man. If by strength is meant moral power, then woman is immeasurably man's superior. Has she not greater intuition, is she not more self-sacrificing, has she not greater powers of endurance, has she not greater courage? Without her, man could not be. If nonviolence is the law of our being, the future is with woman. Who can make a more effective appeal to the heart than woman?"
-Mahatma Gandhi