Regardless of the circumstances, the consequences always remain worse for the woman. Who can we hold responsible if not society and what comprises society, if not us? Despite numerous instances of unjust treatment of women coming to light and countless cases ending up in courts, it is a ‘two steps forward and one step backward situation.’
Recently, a video went viral on social media in which a woman was paraded semi-naked for allegedly having an affair with a married man. While infidelity sure is unethical, is it ethical to parade a woman semi-naked on the roads?
Woman Dragged Through The Streets In Rajasthan
As reported by India Today, police said that the man’s wife and family members discovered his affair. In the video, a woman is dragging the half-naked victim with her hair and the victim is seen pleading, unheard, and humiliated.
A police official shared that an FIR has been filed in this case at the Samdari police station and two women have been detained following the investigation while the victim was taken for counselling.
The Superintendent of Police (SP) Kundan Kawaria said, “The woman was ambushed by a group of people and her neighbours, while she was on the road on Friday. Later, they assaulted and publicly humiliated her by parading her naked across the village… A few other people were also involved in the incident who were not captured in the video. We are also trying to identify the person who recorded the video.”
“The woman is also being given psychological counselling. We are questioning the accused about the reason for their attack. Further investigation is underway,” he added.
The question is what makes them think they can shame a woman without any fear of consequences? A crime to punish someone for another crime without any legal parameters, is it fair? And if it is, how about a serial killer who kills other serial killers? Is that fair too?
Expert's Opinion
Discussing the case, our expert, Dr Rennie Joyy, Lawyer & Founder, Aalekh Foundation, shared our concern and said, “The victim, whose identity remains undisclosed for her protection, was subjected to the dehumanising act by a group of individuals who took the law into their own hands. This flagrant violation of her dignity raises serious questions about the safety and security of women, especially in rural areas where such incidents often go unreported or unnoticed.”
We asked her about the legal consequences expected in such matters and she mentioned, “In the legal context, several charges can be applicable to this heinous crime. Section 509 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) deals with acts intended to insult the modesty of a woman, prescribing punishment for such offences. Additionally, sections 254 and 255 of the IPC pertaining to outraging the modesty of a woman and the punishment for the same, respectively… Despite the gravity of the offence, cases of gender-based violence often face numerous challenges in the legal system, including societal pressure, victim-blaming, and inadequate support structures. However, it's crucial for the victim to seek legal recourse and pursue justice through proper channels. In this case, the woman has the legal right to file a complaint with the police under relevant sections of the IPC, thereby initiating a criminal investigation into the matter. Additionally, she may seek assistance from legal aid organisations or women's rights groups to navigate the complexities of the legal process and ensure her rights are upheld.”
Repetitive Violence And Crimes Against Women
This incident sheds light on the grave situation of women being caught in the crossfire. This is not the first time something as horrible as this has left us with scars incapable of healing. From two women being paraded naked, fondled, and beaten in full public glare in Manipur, and allegedly raped to a 21-year-old tribal woman being allegedly stripped naked and paraded in a village in Pratapgarh district by her husband, men and society seem to consider it their right to shame women and strip them of their dignity as a punishment in their court of justice.
Women’s bodies, respect and dignity have often been auctioned by society whenever deemed fit, whether it be in the unsung battlegrounds during wars or on the roads in 2024! It is high time that we stop using violence against women as a solution to even minute issues and start protecting them from the dark edges of the world where women are blamed and tortured regardless of who else does the crime.
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