“Today we need all concerned to raise
the bar of justice as it was done rightfully six years ago for Jessica Lal”
states Asha Kotwal, Dalit Activist
New
Delhi, 5 Oct 12: The National Campaign for
Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR) and it’s allied organization the All India Dalit
Mahila Adhikar Manch (AIDAM), which had set up a high level fact finding mission
to probe the recent incident in which a 16 year old dalit girl was gang raped by
high caste youth in Hissar, in Haryana, on 9th September, addressed
the media in the Capital today.
While
releasing the report of the Fact-finding Committee, Ms. Asha Kowtal, General Secretary, AIDMAM said, “Today we need
civil society to stand up and express the same degree of anger and shame we saw
six years ago during the nation-wide campaign to seek justice for Jessica Lal.”
The growing incidence of violence on dalit women and girls is irrefutable proof
of the colossal failure of the state to protect them, she added.
The
high level Fact-Finding team comprised of Advocate Seema Misra, Multiple Action
Research Group (MARG); Advocate Ambalika; Dr. Ajitha, Women Against Sexual
Harassment and State Repression (WSS); Ms. Pradnya Deshpande, People’s Union
for Civil Liberties (PUCL); Ms. Sunitha Thakore, Jagori; Mr. Sanjeev Kumar,
Delhi Forum; Ms. Asha Kowtal, General Secretary of AIDMAM; Ms. Sumati, JNU; Ms.
Abirami, National Dalit Movement for Justice (NDMJ); Ms. Savitha, State
Secretary, AIDMAM-Haryana; Mr. Rajesh, State Secretary, NDMJ-Haryana.
S.P
Chalia, Haryana Pradesh Chamar Mahasabha, criticized the National Commission
for Schedule Caste & Schedule Tribe and National Commission for Women for
their indifferent attitude and delayed response, saying, “It is
obvious that when it comes to the demand for justice there are different
standards for different sections of society”. He also lamented the fact that the incident
came to light on 19th September a good ten days after it happened
because, “The greater the delay, the greater is the possibility of destruction
of vital evidence”. According to him what was most telling about the response
to the incident is the fact that the members of National Commission for Women
have not even visited the girl’s family.
Speaking
about the protection of the victim, Seema Mishra, MARG stated that the
“greatest need of the hour is to ensure the safety of the victim so that she
can depose without any fear or pressure.”
Dr
SDJM Prasad, General Secretary (NDMJ), noted, "Though the Prevention of
Atrocities Act was passed 23 years ago, such incidents continue to take place
and the dominant caste and perpetrators are able to get away with impunity! The
time has come for all democratic forces to come together and end such
atrocities, casteism, untouchability and protect Democracy!"
“Even
after 63 years of independence, we have not been able to provide safety to the
dalit women of our country. Why are judiciary, state, society and media
maintaining silence on the exploitation that the dalit women are facing? In a
free country why a dalit woman who is also a free citizen can’t enjoy the
safety and equality?” rued, Vimal Thorat-Convenor, AIDMAM.
The
dalit community has reacted very adversely to the incident and gone to the
extent of pulling their daughters out of schools and colleges.
The
disillusionment and anger of the community of dalits was evident in their
statements to the fact finding team. “We don’t have the means to fight. Even if
we protest peacefully, we are booked under sedition” lamented the dalits of the
village while recollecting the Mirchpur case in which Rajat Kalsan, a lawyer
was charged with sedition and foisted with a false case of homicide and attempt
to murder.
Moved
by the courage of the dalit and women’s rights groups in Hissar, who came
forward to form a strong support group the victim and her family, the members
of the fact finding team extended their long term support to the dalits.
Presently the
response of the government has been as follows:
Ø Total 11 accused
arrested till now;
Ø Rs 65,000 paid
as compensation to the victim;
Ø Government job
announced to the victim's brother;
Ø Police protection
has been provided to the victim:
Ø Administration has
promised to bear her educational expenses still she completes her higher
studies;
Ø Counseling has
been provided to the victim
For more information please contact:
Beena, NCDHR at 99587.97404 and Farah: 95605 11667
