1. A Prudent Start To Tackle The Evil
Of Misogyny
By Vivek Sugandh

2. The much awaited report
• The Justice Verma panel which was set up in the wake of the
brutal gang rape in Delhi finally came up with its
recommendations.
• The committee, consisting of veterans headed by Justice
Verma, the former CJI, was set up by the government to
provide recommendations to combat rape and other crimes
relating to women.
• The panel has been applauded for its suggestions and
detailed research in this area.

3. Weaker sex! Really?
• Our society suffers from patriarchy and harassment of
women, even the international agencies have branded us as a
place which is unsafe for the XX chromosome.
• We always boast that “mera bharat mahaan”, but on a just
note, this place is not-so-great because of the precarious
condition of women.
• Right from her birth, a girl suffers from gender injustice
which manifests itself in uglier forms when she grows up.
• Thus, all accolades which we won are finally undone because
of this perilous condition.
• To support the fact through figures, in 2011 alone there were
24206 registered cases of rape and 51538 cases of sexual
violence. Therefore, there is an urgent need to act against
such evil.

4. Report’s highlights
• The report has some remarkable points which show that a
considerable amount of pondering has been done on this
alarming issue.
• It looks at violence against women as a constitutional
violation of rights.
• Right against marital rape is a dynamic point which was not
discussed by the public earlier.
• The panel does not confine itself with the rape issue only and
goes on to extend the self-protection rights to women.
• It also talks about the prosecution of the police officer who
does not register an FIR on a complaint by the girl.
• It calls for right of exemption from government’s sanction to
seek prosecution of the member of the armed forces for a
sexual offence.

5. Juvenile law and much more
• The panel has suggested reducing the juvenile age from 18 to
16 which is a very welcome move.
• The most notable suggestion was to set up an independent
constitutional body like CAG to look onto the matters
relating to women and child development.
• If this happens, the fate of the government which is already
on shaky grounds due to the allegations of our praiseworthy
CAG.

6. The best thing that has ever happened
• The report also takes a jibe on the government for its political
stance and lack of accountability of public servants.
• It says that the government has lost its way and should
realize their social responsibility which is of prime
importance.
• As the report points “The failure of good governance is the
obvious root cause for the current unsafe environment eroding
the rule of law”.
• The government everywhere is only concerned with
corporate led growth and igniting the animal spirits in the
economy.

7. There is something missing
• On a critical note, most of the suggestions are normative and
many crucial questions are unanswered and cannot be
termed as panacea for all evils against women.
• The committee does not talk about stricter punishment in
case of rape by a man who is politically, economically or
socially dominant.
• The committee does not talk about legalization of
prostitution.
• Since prostitution without pimps and solicitation is legal in
India, the practice of prostitution could curb rapes especially
in cities that are flooded with male migrant workers.

8. • One of the reasons why rape is fewer in Mumbai, despite it
being the glamour capital of India, is the widespread
existence of red-light areas.
• Apart from this, the panel does not provide any rehabilitation
package to the rape victim.
• It does not speak of giving another chance to the victim to
live freely by providing privileges.
• There is no concrete solution relating to faster execution of
cases relating to rapes and sexual assault.

9. Justice delayed is justice denied
• Overall, the Verma committee has served its purpose of
establishment and has finally given a prudent start to tackle
the evil of misogyny.
• The problem with our country is that committees were
always made, suggestions were always given but it takes
years in implementation.
• The committee should be congratulated for its commendable
work but the victory will be marked only after its quick
implementation.
• Let’s hope that it does not enter into the morass of political
lethargy just like the 15-year-old Women’s Reservation bill,
which is still waiting to be passed in Parliament.

10. • Read more on Youth Ki Awaaz at http://bit.ly/14xVVVX