Editorial
Another rape victim takes her life
The malady and its solution rest with the community
We are outraged to hear that Sangeeta Mandal, a class-ten student in Jessore, took her own life failing to come to terms with the trauma and humiliation of being violated by her neighbour. We find no word strong enough to condemn the rape and demand immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of the perpetrator.
We appreciate the education minister's intervention with the local authorities to promptly arrest and punish the culprit.
Society stands collectively guilty when a helpless girl falls easy prey to a rapist and is driven by sheer desperation to commit suicide. She had nobody to turn to for counselling and talking her out of the suicidal mode.
Mostly in our villages and small towns, in the wake of a rape incident, accusing fingers tend to be pointed at the victim, subjecting herself and her family to perpetual humiliation and slander. Because of a social stigma attached to rape, there is hesitancy on the part of the victim's family to take recourse to law. We think the community should step in; for if it is other's daughter today it can be your near and dear one tomorrow. No indulgence whatsoever should be given to a rapist, howsoever influentially linked he may be.
We strongly recommend to the ministry of women and children affairs to launch a mass campaign all over the country to raise awareness against stalking and rape with a focus around building social resistance to prevent such incidents. Secondly, we should disseminate information that it is the rapist who is to be ostracised not the victim. The society at large must stand by the victim's side to make sure that she gets over the trauma and resumes her life afresh as soon as possible.
But nothing would be greater deterrent against the malaise than booking the culprits and handing down convictions in a large number.
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