Five hundred and ninety-five rapes were reported in Jammu-Kashmir between the years 2015-2017. According to an article written in February 2017, Publication 2, by Fayaz Wani .
I’m afraid to think there were hundreds more after that article was published. What has happened to our Valley? Are we the Valley of monsters? We have become predators hiding in shadows, bushes, and vehicles, snatching babies, young children, women, and raping them. It’s an outrage; the law enforcement needs to have a severe penalty, to support justice with implementing immediate sentencing for these criminals.
Rape is one of the most heinous crimes one could inflict on another human being; it strips the victim of their self-worth and their moral being. To force yourself violently on anyone without their permission is the most horrific crime any human being can commit. It is especially true when it’s an infant, toddler, or young child. It takes away their innocence, and the trauma carries with them for the rest of their lives, And what’s even worse they don’t understand why the demented human turned on them and is hurting them.
In my research, there have been multiple reports of minors being raped and murdered within the past year. An article dated April 15, 2019, New Delhi.
An eight-year-old girl whose family are herders was snatched from her farm as she was grazing the cattle, in January 2019. A week later, the child raped and mutilated body found in Kathua. It sparked India with human activists demanding justice for the victim.
The government has in recent years, adopted significant legal reforms for sexual violence cases but major gaps weren’t implemented. Veteran Bollywood, actress and politician, and Heema Malini said, “there should be a national uprising with strong support from media, against these animals who don’t spare even babies and toddlers. I agree with Manekaji (Indian minister) that the death penalty should be instantaneous once proven guilty, and there should be no pardoning for juveniles.”
Adequate protection against rape needs serious implementations by the government in India. The prevention of children and women have to have protection against this crime. It will send a clear signal that the state no longer tolerates rape. The law states under the Penal Code (IPC), a minimum term of this crime is a minimum of seven years imprisonment. Also, the criminal law amendment Act of 1983, which for the first time provided for the offense of custodial rape, but not give time on imprisonment.
On February 27, 2019, an incident occurred whn an unidentified man lured two girls ages six and four who played in their backyard in Lakadganj. Under pretenses, he took them to a secluded spot behind the bushesnd raped them. The crime registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Prevention of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act. No further updates have published.
A group of women under Kashmir Womens’ Collective, urges the governor to institutionalise support for rape victims. According to India’s update of May 12, 2019, by Asahiq Hussain and writes,
“We request the governor to start a full-fledged rape crisis center, build a shelter home for women, and have fast track courts. Besides, she is requesting; they install professional helplines, set up training programs for police, teachers, and doctors. Her goal included recruiting mental health counselors and therapists for girls and women who face violence.” The group posted their plea on Facebook.
A couple of days ago, angry villagers assembled in the main markets of Sumbal. A three-year-old child named, Aiman Zehra, that lives in the Bandipora District, was brutally raped by a man that lived next door to her family. The nieghbour who raped her was 27 and charged as an adult. The parents of Aiman have refused interviews.
In the meanwhile, thousands of protesters are chanting,
“It’s a vulgar, barbaric act,” as they march through the streets saying.
“He is a beast, and person who doesn’t have any moral or ethical values!”
Protests are being held everywhere since this happened, and people demand justice and want the rapist to hang. The entire valley is in an uproar also do to the fact that this is during the holy month of Ramadan, and crushing the Kashmiri people.
I have interviewed some protesters about the multiple rapes reported. They carried signs that read,
“We want justice, and the death penalty for the culprit!”
Many citizens are starting to believe that Kashmir has become the hub of rapes. One older man commented.
One woman who runs an N. G. O. said, “this is a heinous crime and act. We will raise our voices against the culprit, and we will not stop protesting till hanging!”
Another man who is a teacher had dozens of students with him holding up signs which read, “the guilty should be given the death penalty to stop this menace of crime from our pious land namely Kashmir!”
“When the crime has been proven, and the court has complete evidence regarding this rape, then the attacker should be given the death penalty. People have a right to protest against the rape incident,” Ashiq Hussain said, who is a legal counsel in the High Court. “But protesters should peacefully unite and seek justice.
It hasn’t stopped there, two days later an 15-year-old girl was raped, in the Ganderbal district.
The Kashmiri people are exploding; protesters are stopping at nothing to get their powerful word across, stopping traffic and causing the state to come to a freeze until justice is served.
On a personal note, I feel there should be no leniency for these criminals who are juveniles or otherwise. They should receive the same sentence as murder because they killed the innocence of babies, young children, and women. The victims’ lives are virtually ruined, not to mention it is a violation of human rights of the highest kind. It takes years of therapy to help these victims to get through their attack, and it kills them slowly from the inside out.
I’m the president of the social work committee, and if there is any way we can help bring these children justice, my team will be there to assist with their heart and soul.
Gowher Bhat can be reached at gowherbhat866@gmail.com.
