Prologue: One woman in India is molested every 26 mins, raped every 34, kidnapped every 42 and killed every 93 mins. Of course, erring on the lower side, as this is based only on reported cases. (Source: TopsGroup, the only ISO 9000 certified security agency).
Specific details in this piece are from “A grotesque Proposal”, published in Indian Express (08Aug).
It’s all about this latest display of sadism by the perverted of the male species, resorted to as a release of his built up testosterone levels, without any complications associated with rape. It’s about utter disregard for ‘the right to live’ of another, purely on the basis of gender. It’s about contempt of those physically less endowed, about the built-in and acquired immunity from arms of the emasculated law, vague and inadequate in themselves. It’s about dousing the female of the species with 4 letters – A.C.I.D.
What, Who, Where, So?:
(a) Hasina, 20, now 22-surgeries-old, after an ex-employer poured 5 lit of acid on her face and arms. Her parents have shelled out 8 lakhs already, treating the now-blind daughter.
Legal punishment? Ha! 5 years RI +3 lakhs penalty!
Govt compensation: 10K (still awaited, as the case is sub-judice!)
(b) Poonam, 16, waylaid by 6 men, forced to say ‘I Love You’, doused with acid before she could/did. Minus eyelids, with a mask for a face, 15 lakhs poorer and 40-surgeries old.
Present status of the father: Beggar.
The perpetrator(s) are in jail for a break. And while there, he doles out blood-curdling letters to the family, for recreation. Presently, on bail.
(c) A wife of 15 years and 36 year old mother of 2; beaten up, tortured and showered with acid, because she protested against abuse. By who? The husband.
Sentence? 7 years.
(d) Shruti, 16, splashed with acid by a guy who got 7 years and 5K as penalty.
Her current status? 20-surgeries old and 15 lakhs poorer.
Folks, What are We? Where are We Living?
The above is just a random pick of 4 reported cases. The underlying common after-effect on all the victims is a sense of ‘brain-death’, mental scars, helplessness and fear. This only serves to compound the physical effects – blindness, distortions of face and body, system damage and permanent scars; and of course, financial doom. That most victims hail from the middle or lower strata of our nation doesn’t help matters any.
Causes: The most common ‘causes’ attributed to ‘Acid Attacks’ (may make a sad sequel to Mars Attacks) are “jilted lover” and “political vendetta”. Concoctions and deliverances may vary from one perpetrator to another, but the underlying arrogant chauvinism, contempt of the law and defiance are all illustrations of tweaked and perverted Machiavellianism.
Tools: Oh! Simple! Usually, bare hands suffice. For extra precaution, a disposable pair of gloves may provide the required degree of immunity. As for the acid, did you know? Any drugstore will give you ultra potent potions. Did I hear someone say ‘prescription’ or ‘controlled’? Oh No! You need it for those dirty toilets, yes?! So what if diluted doses suffice for the toilets and tiles, multiple safe brands of cleaners are available etc? Brutus always shall be an honourable man!
We are the country which still uses DDT and Endosulphan! A measure of strong acid can’t be all that bad!
Did you say “Laws and Regulations”, “Police”? Those look good on 24x7s, textbooks and election manifestos. Anyway, nobody follows the Law, and the Law-men also don’t seem to mind it much! Anyway, what’s 10000 bucks as penalty and a few years in jails with better amenities than home (with easy paroles as bonus)…if you can change for ever, the very geography of that lovely girl who made the Himalayan blunder of striking down the high-proposal of ‘love’ from the ‘all-powerful male’?
Epilogue: Is there any escape – for the Indian woman, the caring male and the civilized population of the world’s second largest democracy, for the power-to-be of this century, from this unimaginable and barbaric evil? Can police really not do what they are supposed to and can do? Can the leaders really not do without such forms of vendetta? And, can the perverted male really not find love without usage of these four letters? We all wonder!
Wonder, we all can ! !
How many can and will ACT, that is the question that begs to be heard.
Until then, let’s take our Chill Pills (or shall we call them Acid Breaks?) and go back to spending our bigger and bigger currency notes, and keep reading of such incidents- dreading, swearing, sympathising, and waking up the next day with the usual smile and song-on-the-lip.
For, India surely is Shining!
If the issue appeals to your conscience, here’s what you can do to help, financially or otherwise. Write to woman(at)epmltd(dot)com , which is one agency out there to help Acid Attack Victims.
There are many more NGOs doing much good on this cause. All it needs is an open eye and a caring heart. The money and time will follow.
Hope to hear your views, experiences and any other information on this issue. The comments section is all yours, folks. And, thank you for taking the time out to read the whole thing, though it isn’t an entertainer, but a sheer mirror to the social face of reality! Harsh, it may seem, but that’s the way it is! Kya Karen?!
PS: Folks, the next one will be funny and more a Review, I promise! Please Dont Go Away...Dekhte Rahiye, Kal Tak!