The barbaric rape and murder of an eight-year-old shepherd girl in India’s Jammu region and the rape of a 16-year-old girl in Unnao district of the northern state of Uttar Pradesh have galvanised the country in a manner similar to the outrage following the Delhi gang rape and murder of Nirbhaya in 2012.
Yet, both the recent atrocities underscore the impunity enjoyed by the elite and those with powerful political patronage in India, proving that no lessons have been learnt from 2012. The Jammu incident has also exposed a steadily growing undercurrent of religious friction and medieval misogyny that has erupted with frequent fury in recent times.
A mob of lawyers and activists blocked police in Jammu from filing a case against the custodian of a temple and others accused of inflicting unspeakable horror on a child, who was drugged, held captive, gang raped over days, strangled and then bludgeoned just to ensure she died. The temple custodian at the centre of the accusations is also known for spearheading a vitriolic campaign against local Muslim tribes. But the conduct of the local lawyers was as shameful and partisan as a section of local leaders affiliated to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress party, who remained silent or even defended the eight accused.
In Unnao, Kuldeep Singh Sengar, a powerful politician also linked to the ruling BJP and charged with raping the teenager, was found roaming around free and routinely taunting the media — because local police refused to take action until the chief minister ordered an inquiry and handed over the probe to federal investigators.
India has always had a checkered history of crimes against women. But this newfound ferocity of sexual violence is unprecedented in its brazenness and impunity.
Justice must be done for both rape victims. And swiftly.
Investigations into Kathua and Unnao must be independent, impartial and robust. The punishment must be exemplary. The routine outrage and endless debates following every such incident must now pave the way for decisive action. Authorities also must take all necessary steps to ensure that the victims’ families are protected from further persecution and harassment. Above all, India’s political leaders must rise above pettiness and partisanship to unitedly condemn this barbarism. This is not a time to score political brownie points, but ensure speedy justice and accountability.
