By Noorain Jeelani
Violence is an aggressive behaviour or an act of Physical force, the purpose of which is to hurt or harm someone. It is the power misused by anyone in a relationship to control or make dominance on other.
Domestic violence is not only limited up to physical violence alone rather we can say any behaviour the purpose of which is to grab power and control over a partner or intimate family member. There are multiple forms of violence including physical, verbal, emotional, religious, sexual abuse or harassment which can range from aggressive and oppressive forms to martial rape, violent physical abuse or even death.
The most victims of domestic violence are extensively or profusely women. Women has been the worst sufferers of domestic abuse and the cases are accelerating amid Covid -19 lockdown. According to survey reports the cycle of violence in Kashmir valley had taken its toll.
Women tend to experience more severe forms of violence from her in-laws or her spouse and in most common intimate relationships there may be constant cycle of abuse during which conflicts and tensions rise and an act of violence is committed. In most cases women have been ruthlessly murdered by her in-laws or spouse. There is a great and prominent significance of women in our Islamic religion. Every women is struggling to live with dignity and respect. Women dignify the stereotype position in society. I am quoting” Allama Iqbal” who said.
Wujood-E-Zan- Se Hai Tasveer-E-Kainaat Mai Rang.
Iss Ke Saaz Se Hai Zindgi Ka Sooz-E-Darun
Which indicates the picture that this world present from women gets its tints and scents. She is the lyre than can import pathos and warmth to human heart.
Any form of emotional or psychological abuse or any kind of unethical treatment of women is prohibited in islam. Even Islamic religion strongly disallows any form of oppression or abuse. Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) said ”the best among you is the best towards his wife” Due to imposition and extension of lockdown domestic violence cases are on hike and the situation is going worst with a number of reasons responsible for growing menace including wrong use of internet, drug abuse, unemployment , stress due to lockdown as youth are addicted to drug abuse and that also become the reason for martial conflicts and finally leads to divorce . In most cases dowry related conflicts are seen between the couples and husband beats their wives within a few months after marriage to fulfil their dowry demands. Dowry related violence is a serious problem in our valley that affects the lives of women and girls. Dowry violence rises when the groom or his family demands payments or luxurious goods and the family is unable or unwilling to pay. Disappointment with amount of dowry may result in abuse of the bride and in extreme cases dowry deaths or murders of the bride by her spouse and his family takes place .it becomes Immensely hard for poor families to marry their daughters and fulfil the dowry demand of their groom. A number of domestic violence incidents happened in our valley in this Covid lockdown. Bride burning or dowry deaths occurs mainly in India, Moreover in our valley incidents of dowry deaths are also in surge . A few months ago a 32 year old women ended her life at her in-laws house in South Kashmir Anantnag District, and in a video recorded before her death the woman had accused her in-laws assaulting her and setting a blaze. Another incident again happened in Bandipora District when a 27-year-old woman was found dead in enigmatic condition.
This does not suit a place like Kashmir as our society is morally degrading day by day due to lack of Ethical values. In this lockdown the perpetrators have got opportunity to harm women. working women face more domestic violence from spouse and in-laws when they forcibly want to take entire salary from her and if she refuses to do she is being forced and tortured by in-laws to leave the job .working women who before lockdown would somehow vent their pain and emotions either from friends or family now found it very hard to spare a moment to speak out as they are under continuous surveillance. Domestic violence victims face worsened physical and psychological health disorders such as depression,anxiety,lack of sleep,heart problems and sucide.and The union territory management of Jammu and Kashmir and most of the machinery is buzy to fight Covid -19 . There is no relief for the survivors of gender based violence, as there are no domestic violence shelters in Kashmir and moment restrictions and lockdown hampers NGO’s and courts to do their work.
Last but not least it is a matter of Concern that erudite and civilized people are also involved n this evil.It becomes our moral obligation to teach and guide our children and Youngesters about islamic marriage including the rights of bride and duties of grooms post marriage.it is also obligatory for inlaws so that they should treat their bride or daughter-in-law as their own daughter and treat her with love and honour as she is entitled to her house and she is entitled to dignity.programmes must be organized to teach young people to make healthy relationships such as communication, Councselling and problem solving can prevent violence.steps to be taken for their protection and make them aware about their rights..if people do not change their orthodox mindsets it will ruin the relationships and we need to awaken our conscience to stop this tyraant evil of domestic violence in society,otherwise it can spoil our future generations.
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