Skip to main content

Bilkis case: When those who greet criminals with garlands are exonerated of crime

By Vikas Parasram Meshram 

While ruling on Bilkis Bano's plea against the amnesty granted to the gang rape and murder perpetrators, the Supreme Court categorically termed the amnesty granted to the 11 criminals as fraudulent and termed the Gujarat government's act as an attempt to encroach on justice. 
According to the Supreme Court's decision, even if the eleven rape and murder accused get some leniency in their sentences, it will come under the purview of the Maharashtra government and not the Gujarat government, where the court handed down the sentences.
Notably, the convict, serving a life sentence, was found guilty of 'inhumane crimes' in the 2002 Gujarat riots. In the background of the court's decision, these criminals are now likely to try to get relief from their punishment from the Maharashtra government.
It is also known that a year and a half ago, the Gujarat government used its powers to free these criminals from their punishment, when these accused were released from jail, and were welcomed publicly by garlanding them; not only that, organizations like Vishwa Hindu Parishad hailed them as heroes. 
The mindset of honoring those who gang-raped a pregnant woman and killed seven members of her family, including Bilkis' 3-year-old daughter, is questionable in our society today.
The court has done its job, such examples of rule of law will be seen in the future. Bilkis Bano, who is fighting for justice, has also received support in the country. It is expected that similar help will continue to be given to the victims in the future as well. But it begs the question how and why the mentality of supporting criminals thrives in a society that believes in the rule of law. 
When these eleven criminals came out of jail a year and a half ago, why should those who greeted them with garlands not realize that they are terrible criminals? They cannot be exonerated from the charge of criminal mentality. There is a need today to raise voice against this mindset. 
Gang rape is considered a 'crime against humanity' under international law. In any civilized society such crime should be punished. At the same time, criminals are also the ones who support and glorify such crimes, which is terrible for a civilized society.
A few months ago, a heinous act was witnessed in Manipur. There, women were stripped naked and taken out on the streets and molested, and a section of the society watched as spectators. It is true that this behavior is no less than the crime of rape. It is not known when those unfortunate women of Manipur will get justice. But it begs the question why there is no discussion of punishing the criminals who give silent support to such crimes.
Who are they who welcomed Bilkis Bano and her family's abusers after they came out of jail? These eleven men were released from prison without acquittal, exempted from punishment under the pretext of 'good behaviour', so they got out. It is true that there is a provision for this leniency in our country, but isn't it also true that there are some crimes for which such leniency in punishment should not be allowed? 
Rape is a heinous crime, gang rape is a bigger crime and murder after rape is a bigger crime! Prudence demands that if such offenders are granted any exemption during their jail term in the name of 'good behaviour', it should be enquired.
Whether they are abusing women on Manipur streets or saluting the perpetrators of rape and murder, these people tarnish humanity
The question is also that if the criminal does not express remorse for his actions, if he does not feel that he has committed a crime and not a mistake, how can his behaviour be placed in the category of good behaviour? Isn't it a reality that women like Bilkis Bano have to live under the constant shadow of terror? 
Are they under constant pressure to withdraw complaints? The fact is, in the last year and a half, since these criminals came out of jail with rewards for their so-called good behavior, Bilkis Bano has not been able to sleep peacefully?
Now after the decision of the Supreme Court, Bilkis Bano has said through her lawyer that it is as if a big mountain has been lifted from her chest. For the first time in a year and a half, she shed tears of joy as she hugged her children. It is no less important for Bilkis to say, 'I am grateful to the Supreme Court for giving me, my children and all women the right to equal justice.' 
Bilkis Bano also expressed her gratitude to hundreds of people like her. who stood by him in court battles. She is also indebted to the crores of people of the country whose sympathy she has received. There are people in our country who take pride in standing up against injustice. But what about those who take pride in doing injustice or supporting injustice?
Supporting criminals should be a matter of shame. Such shame defines a civilized society. Whether they are abusing women on the streets of Manipur or saluting the perpetrators of rape and murder, these people tarnish humanity. A sense against crime should be created in the society, for that every possible effort should be made at every level. Not only does law provide punishment, society can also curb criminal elements.

Comments

TRENDING

Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan raises concerns over Jharkhand Adivasis' plight in Assam, BJP policies

By Our Representative  The Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan (Save Democracy Campaign) has issued a pressing call to protect Adivasi rights in Jharkhand, highlighting serious concerns over the treatment of Jharkhandi Adivasis in Assam. During a press conference in Ranchi on November 9, representatives from Assam, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh criticized the current approach of BJP-led governments in these states, arguing it has exacerbated Adivasi struggles for rights, land, and cultural preservation.

Promoting love or instilling hate and fear: Why is RSS seeking a meeting with Rahul Gandhi?

By Ram Puniyani*  India's anti-colonial struggle was marked by a diverse range of social movements, one of the most significant being Hindu-Muslim unity and the emergence of a unified Indian identity among people of all religions. The nationalist, anti-colonial movement championed this unity, best embodied by Mahatma Gandhi, who ultimately gave his life for this cause. Gandhi once wrote, “The union that we want is not a patched-up thing but a union of hearts... Swaraj (self-rule) for India must be an impossible dream without an indissoluble union between the Hindus and Muslims of India. It must not be a mere truce... It must be a partnership between equals, each respecting the religion of the other.”

A Marxist intellectual who dwelt into complex areas of the Indian socio-political landscape

By Harsh Thakor*  Professor Manoranjan Mohanty has been a dedicated advocate for human rights over five decades. His work as a scholar and activist has supported revolutionary democratic movements, navigating complex areas of the Indian socio-political landscape. His balanced, non-partisan approach to human rights and social justice has made his books essential resources for advocates of democracy.

Four J&K MLAs visit Wular lake, pledge support to fisher community, environmental conservation

By Shamim Ahmed*   In a historic meeting that highlighted both environmental and social concerns, four Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) visited Wular Lake to meet with the fisherfolk community, signaling a significant step in addressing their longstanding issues. This gathering, organized with the support of dedicated advocates, marks a strengthening of efforts to both safeguard the lake’s ecosystem and support the community’s welfare.

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

Supreme Court’s dismissal of PIL on Covid vaccine safety is counter to known science and mathematics

By Bhaskaran Raman*  On 14 Oct 2024, the Supreme Court of India dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on the side-effects of the Covid vaccine. In 2021, the world saw the rollout of various Covid vaccine candidates. In India, Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin and Serum Institute of India’s Covishield were rolled out. Covishield was nothing but Oxford’s AstraZeneca relabelled in India. The importance of open-minded and scientific probe of Covid vaccine safety In 2020/2021, all Covid vaccines were authorized for emergency use, which meant that the necessary efficacy and safety follow-up was incomplete at that time. The originally approved trials – called randomised controlled trials (RCT) had a “vaccine” group and a “placebo” group for comparison. Such experimental comparison/control is the cornerstone of the scientific method – which even children learn in photosynthesis experiments in class-1. The vaccine trials were scheduled to conclude in late 2022/early 2023. For instance, Covax...

A Hindu alternative to Valentine's Day? 'Shiv-Parvati was first love marriage in Universe'

By Rajiv Shah  The other day, I was searching on Google a quote on Maha Shivratri which I wanted to send to someone, a confirmed Shiv Bhakt, quite close to me -- with an underlying message to act positively instead of being negative. On top of the search, I chanced upon an article in, imagine!, a Nashik Corporation site which offered me something very unusual. 

Right-arm fast bowler who helped West Indies shape arguably greatest Test team in cricket history

By Harsh Thakor*  Malcolm Marshall redefined what it meant to be a right-arm fast bowler, challenging the traditional laws of biomechanics with his unique skill. As we remember his 25th death anniversary on November 4th, we reflect on the legacy he left behind after his untimely death from colon cancer. For a significant part of his career, Marshall was considered one of the fastest and most formidable bowlers in the world, helping to shape the West Indies into arguably the greatest Test team in cricket history.

Will Left victory in Sri Lanka deliver economic sovereignty plan, go beyond 'tired' IMF agenda?

By Atul Chandra, Vijay Prashad*  On September 22, 2024, the Sri Lankan election authority announced that Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) alliance won the presidential election. Dissanayake, who has been the leader of the left-wing JVP since 2014, defeated 37 other candidates, including the incumbent president Ranil Wickremesinghe of the United National Party (UNP) and his closest challenger Sajith Premadasa of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya. 

Unlike other revolutionaries, Hindutva icon wrote 5 mercy petitions to British masters

By Shamsul Islam*  The Hindutva icon VD Savarkar of the RSS-BJP rulers of India submitted not one, two,or three but five mercy petitions to the British masters! Savarkarites argue: “There are no evidences to prove that Savarkar collaborated with the British for his release from jail. In fact, his appeal for release was a ruse. He was well aware of the political developments outside and wanted to be part of it. So he kept requesting for his release. But the British authorities did not trust him a bit” (YD Phadke, ‘A complex Hero’, "The Indian Expres"s, August 31, 2004)