Don't turn the page

 I will admit that I am rarely forthcoming about the subject of my writing in the first paragraphs itself, but this time, I feel an urgent need to plunge into it straightaway. 

As of recent, I have chosen to revive my old habit of reading newspapers. I buy them during the day but take to reading at night since my time schedules render me free only at such late moments. However, like I usually do, I did not get the time to read anything- not even the headlines today, as I snatched the newspaper off the chaiwala's hand and confined it within the zips of my bag, left untouched till precisely 6:47 pm this evening. At said time, I took up the paper with the full intention of finishing it by 7:30 (I am timing my reading rate every day) and dramatically opened the folds, shook it a bit and began.

The first page of The Hindu was an advertisement. It was something about West Bengal and therefore I was naturally prompted to ignore it because West Bengal is not Kerala and I do not care for advertisements (Funny how we are all conditioned to ignore stuff that happens elsewhere, isn't it?). But something in me, some teeny voice made me curious to read the second line, and after I did, I will admit that my interest was greatly piqued. The subject of the advertisement was none other than the Aparajita Bill.

For those of you living under a rock, I will attempt to explain the chronological events that led to the introduction of such a bill- The R. G. Kar incident.

R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital (RGKMCH) is a public government teaching hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal, India which started as Asia's first private medical college. Boasting one of the best medical facilities in India with talented and able faculty, the RGKMCH rose among the ranks as a hospital of high regard in West Bengal. It is in such a progressive environment filled with impressive intellect, that one of its students, a trainee doctor, was brutally raped and killed.

On 9 August 2024, Moumita Debnath, a second-year postgraduate trainee doctor at the college was found dead in a seminar hall on the college campus. As reported by India Today, over 14 injuries across the victim's head, face, neck, arms, and genitals and confirmed evidence of forceful penetration, indicating sexual assault were recorded. The autopsy report also observed hemorrhaging in the lungs and blood clots throughout the body but found no signs of fractures. The cause of death was determined to be “manual strangulation associated with smothering. "The report further said that the postmortem report confirmed that the manner of death was ruled as homicide.

Following this incident, outraged doctors and women are taking to the streets, rallying for their fundamental right to live in peace. The incident has shaken India and has lapsed into huge proportions that it has deeply impacted the affairs of the world. 

(I have been looking through different reference sites to find suitable material to present you with, but I stumbled upon Quora halfway through. The writers have written words like rape and murder in asterisks. I must say that I fail to understand why they think such words must be hidden from the public view as if shading them from the truth behind it. It is something that is happening in our country and it is about time for us to own up and say that we are cultivating our criminals.)

The Bannerjee government has put forward the Aparajita Bill, which entails dishing out the capital punishment for rape and murder of a woman, or if she is left in a vegetative state. It is refreshing to know that even though other parts of India seem to move on from the issue, West Bengal has taken necessary steps which may reduce the rate of rapes and consequent murders by planting a sense of fear within the minds of such perpetrators. The main features of the bill are as follows:

1. Death Penalty: In cases where rape results in the victim's death or a permanent vegetative state, the bill provides for capital punishment.

2. Life Imprisonment: The bill mandates life imprisonment for those convicted of rape or gang rape.

3. Stricter Punishments for Repeat Offenders: Repeat offenders face life imprisonment or, in severe cases, the death penalty.

4. Speedy Investigations: Investigations into rape cases must be completed within 21 days, with a possible 15-day extension.

5. Special Task Force: Each district will have an 'Aparajita Task Force' led by a Deputy Superintendent of Police, dedicated to investigating sexual offenses.

6. Specialized Courts: The bill proposes the creation of 52 special courts to handle rape and sexual offense cases efficiently.

7. Privacy Protections: Unauthorized publishing of court proceedings related to rape cases will be punishable with imprisonment and fines.

The government under Bannerjee has also taken additional pains to curb such atrocities:

1) Rs. 100 crore has been earmarked to ensure the safety of women in areas near medical colleges and hospitals. CCTV and lighting are being arranged at all designated locations.

2) To ensure justice, 88 fast track courts and 62 POCSO designated courts (for girl child) have been set up.

3) Out of the above, 52 designated courts have been set up for the swift trial of crimes against women.

4) 49 women police stations have been set up.

5) In the Nirbhaya Fund Scheme, ₹107 crore already spent by the state for implementing initiatives aimed at women safety and security.

Additionally, under the Rattirer Sathi program, Security measures are being enhanced, resting areas are being constructed at designated locations, and safe zones are being created for women working late at night. Female volunteers are being deployed at night for enhanced security. A special mobile phone app is being developed for all working women, equipped with an instant alarm raising capability and connected to the local police stations and police control rooms.

The Aparajita Bill does not merely aim at increasing punishments. It actively addresses issues relating to women and children under POCSO accounts, providing ready justice. 

This justice, however, is not their leniency. It is our right. It is our right, to walk safely through India's streets. It is our right, to life and security. It is our right, to obtain justice when wronged. This is why we have established democratic governments over monarchs- because we believe that the latter are prone to biases. This is why we spend every day fighting- whether knowingly or unknowingly, for our places in the world. 

One might call me a staunch feminist for advocating and opinionating such words. I confess that I cannot help but express myself against such atrocities, be it directed against women, or children, or even men.

As for acid attacks...

I think that acid attacks also deserve capital punishment. As of now, acid attacks are awarded "rigorous imprisonment for the remainder of the convict's natural life, along with a fine". Acid attacks, however, are ones that I consider more brutal than murder- since one has to live with one's disfiguration for a lifetime. The scars will serve as a constant reminder every time they look in a mirror.

I was talking to my friend the other day, casually discussing the weather when one thing led to the other and we landed on the Aparajita Bill. When I argued that the death penalty must be ruled for similar crimes against men too, I was laughed at. "Men are not sexually harassed. Even if they are, cases are so very rare." But in these rare cases, men fear that such complaints may implicate their masculinity as feeble, or that their voices be unheard of since crimes against men are in the minority- is that not more worse? Women at least have the social media to implement justice. What about the men?

In Kerala, specifically Kottayam, I feel like we are not reacting to many such evils. Sure, we have the usual social media movements, but that is it. Why don't we protest, too? Isn't it important to let our voices be heard, to fight for a person in West Bengal as we would for our own blood relations? After all, is not that what we repeatedly have been saying for the whole of our lives during the pledge? All Indians are my brothers and sisters? If it is so, how can a brother commit such damning actions towards a sister? Was he fueled with hate? Or lust? Is that what our morals teach us? As Indians, we pride ourselves on having diverse religions. Is this what our religions teach us? Are we really just puppets to our own emotions or mere witnesses to a crime, seeking abode under the thought that such circumstances do not directly apply to us? Have we chosen to confine such questions within folds of newspapers, turning over the leaf after reading through it while not caring or bothering to understand its gist?

The main thing about this, however, is how we should concentrate on preventing such a thing from happening rather than taking an action after the damage is done. To be honest, I did not even think about that aspect of the case till I talked to a close friend about it. We always find solutions for a problem, but wouldn't it be so much easier if the problem did not arise in the first place?

The answer to this is easy. Like I mentioned earlier, one just has to keep in mind that the other person is entitled to freedom and liberty of life as much as you are. It is important to view others as your fellow brother or sister. Our freedom is granted with full force as per the Indian constitution, as long as it does not interfere with someone else's freedom. Pepper spray is also a good choice but everyone must be made aware, especially teens, about how violating someone else is never the right option for any sort of choice. It has to be ingrained in the minds of the general public that one of their own harrassed another of their own. We must protest at the lack of suitable laws that enable women to walk free, wear whatever they want, at whatever time they like, whenever, through India. One just has to keep in mind that very much like one's own mother, she might be someone else's mother or sister.