No mere homilies, society should walk the talk on stalking : The Tribune India

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No mere homilies, society should walk the talk on stalking

Residents take out a march against the stalking incident at Sector 10, Chandigarh. File photo

In the stalking case of Varnika Kundu and the rape and subsequent pregnancy of a 10-year-old girl, it is extremely disheartening to see that women are unsafe inside and outside their homes. Cases of molestation, stalking, eve-teasing, abduction, rape and murder are going on unchecked. The failure of the police is also responsible for the occurrence of such incidents. Police patrolling needs to be intensified around bus stops, educational institutes and eating joints. Policemen must be deployed in civil clothes at vulnerable points with the identification of time slots when such incidents occur. The accused in such cases should be given stern punishment. Girls should learn self-defense techniques and carry items like Swiss knives or pepper powder. Girls must raise a voice in case they are victimised. People should come forward to help in case they see any such incident or even suspect something wrong to prevent any untoward incident.

Dr Shruti K Chawla, Chandigarh

Be more vigilant

Swift response by the Chandigarh Police to the distress call made by a girl is appreciable. The police should always remain vigilant to handle such cases and take an appropriate action without bowing to any external pressure. Girls should either move in groups during late night hours or call their friends to escort them. Driving on deserted roads/isolated locations during night should be avoided. Girls should be physically and mentally trained by the administration to face any awkward situation.

Ritu, Rajpura

Take precautionary steps

The Chandigarh police did a commendable job by reaching the victim within no time. The ordeal the girl suffered is beyond description. Such incidents occur during night. Women should avoid taking shortcuts in the night. Their mobiles must have full battery backup and helpline numbers. Never roll down windows of the car. Keep the doors of the car locked. More policemen be deployed at vulnerable points. Girl students be taught martial arts in schools.

Harish Kapur, Chandigarh

Let police function freely

Hats off to the victim for displaying alertness and presence of mind. The initial alacrity shown by the police was overshadowed by their subsequent U-turn. Give free hand and absolute authority to the police so that they could decide the case in a non-partisan way. No political interference should be allowed, lest it will embolden the offender. Sensitise people on women’s safety. The emancipation of women is the key to their safety.

Veena Mahajan, Chandigarh

Shun VIP culture

The recent stalking incident in Chandigarh, considered to safest place to live in India, is an awakening call for all. Swift action by the police is commendable.The VIP culture should be shunned and children should be disciplined. The police should be people-friendly. Culprits should fear them. The presence of the police in the city should be increased. It will instill a sense of security among women. Employers should ensure a safe return of women.

Bharat Bhushan Sharma

Make women self-reliant

The UT Administration need to launch a special campaign to make women self-reliant. Varnika Kundu,who refused to surrender to stalkers, needs to head the campaign and inspire other girls to fight against eve-teasing so that they are free to pursue their interests. There should be no political interference in the working of the police.

Ajit Singh, Rankin, Windsor (Canada)

Be strict with culprits

The recent high profile stalking case involving the daughter of a senior bureaucrat and son of a political bigwig has brought to light the law and order situation. This is not for the first time that such a high profile case has come to light. Earlier too, VIP brats have been found on the wrong foot. The irony is that the dispensation has always been caught napping. CCTV cameras installed at vantage points remain non-functional more often. However, the million dollar question is “Why always VIP brats, wielding the whip, always walk free after run-ins with the law?”. To check this growing menace, the police need to enhance their presence during the night. Stringent laws and their strictest implementation will go a long way in stemming the rot. Women should be strong enough to take on stray misadventures like these. Political heavyweights (in case of sitting MLAs/MPs) should be dismissed and debarred from contesting elections for the life after such incidents.

Ramesh K Dhiman, Chandigarh

Make women’s safety a priority

The stalking of a 29-year-old woman by the son of a political big gun and his friend is an unpardonable act. More shameful is the fact is the treatment given to the accused because as his father is the president of the the ruling Haryana BJP. What to talk of night vigil, the city police are incapable of curbing criminal activities during daytime. The safety of women should be our top most priority. The guilty must be sent behind the bars.

RK Kapoor, Chandigarh

Step up security

Have a separate police helpline number for women, linked to a women’s police cell. All cars, taxis, auto-rickshaws, used by women, must have a GPS and a panic button installed inside for any emergency use. CCTV cameras should be installed in a working condition at all locations where women work or usually visit. In case of stalking or eve teasing, women should report to the women’s cell promptly.

Tejinder Singh Kalra, Mohali

Judiciary should take suo motu notice of incident

The courageous feat by Varnika Kundu and his father has brought the almost dead case to life. Their efforts will enable the police/judiciary to provide justice to the victim and a severe punishment to the accused. The sad part of this episode is that none of the women organisations associated with the BJP, who boast of fighting for the cause of women, have come forward openly. The government and the judiciary take a suo moto notice of the issue and should straight away hand over such cases to the SIT/CBI, who immediately take over CCTV footage, mobiles and laptops of the accused persons to dig out the truth and the role played by the police and politicians to save the accused as the general public is losing faith in the working of the local police.

AS Ahuja, Chandigarh

Media played commendable role

The mainstream media, along with the social media, has played a crucial role in highlighting the stalking case. Leading newspapers and TV channels have depicted the events chronologically and updated the residents since the day of the incident. Initially, the Chandigarh Police avoided booking the accused for kidnapping. Further taking a lenient view, the police set the accused free on bail. Even the CCTV cameras have been shown as non-functional. In brief, due to pressure of the media, the accused have been re-arrested under various sections of the IPC and are in judicial custody. It should be considered the victory of the media as well as the people of Chandigarh who have wholeheartedly stood against the injustice meted out to young, strong and proud Vanika Kundu.

SK Khosla, Chandigarh

Intensify police patrolling

Stalking, eve-teasing, molestation, abduction and rapes seems to have become the order of the day. The stalking incident on August 4 has shocked the city when a young girl, daughter of an IAS officer, was chased and stalked in her car by the son of political bigwig of Haryana and his friend for almost 8 km on Chandigarh roads. It was the presence of mind due to which she could inform the police and their timely action helped apprehend the drunken brats and save the girl from her worst nightmares. To ward off such acts in society and ensure the safety of women, police patrolling need to be intensified at night in vulnerable areas. With a strict implementation of the law, an exemplary punishment should be given to offenders.

SS Arora, Mohali

Chinks in system exposed

Efforts made by Varnika in a grim situation and the prompt response to her SOS calls prevented an ugly incident. However, it exposed loopholes in the prevailing system. In such an environment, parents of school or college-going girls are a worried lot. It is an excellent achievement of the Chandigarh Police that they successfully nabbed the two youths involved in the stalking incident. The case should be probed on merit to gain people’s confidence.

Bhupinder S Sealopal, Mohali

Justice should prevail

This was the most shocking stalking incident that rocked the City Beautiful. Such incidents instill fear in minds of women. Both accused are adults. Being law graduates, they were fully aware about repercussions. The victim escaped due to her courage and presence of mind besides a prompt response by the police. Still, the police are facing criticism for diluting charges against the accused as one of them belongs to an influential political family. The justice should prevail so that the youths learn a lesson. If we do not exert pressure, more and more daughters will suffer this way.

Vidya Sagar Garg, Panchkula

Parents should not shield children

It was a shameful act by the accused, who knew the implications of it. At the same time, the Chandigarh Police took the matter in a different way by diluting charges against the accused under the political pressure. The policemen must keep in mind that the law is same for all. The men should understand that they too have women members in their families. Moreover, parents should not shield their wards if such an incident occurs and let the law prevail.

MR Bhateja, Nayagaon

Women should avoid going outside at night

The Chandigarh Administration is doing its best to ensure the safety of residents, especially women. Keeping in mind the societal behavior and mentality, women should avoid going alone in late night parties and travelling on isolated tracks. The Chandigarh Police should provide training in self-defense to women at regular intervals. Stricter provisions should be introduced in the law to deal with crime against women. There should also be no soft corner for persons belonging to influential families.

Rajiv Sood, Mohali

Cops succumbed to pressure

In the recent case, involving a spoiled brat of a political heavyweight, has evoked interest across the nation. While the police action to rescue the girl is praiseworthy, the act of ensuring quick bail by diluting charges has raised many eyebrows. It seems, after the police came to know about the identity of the accused, some portion of the CCTV footage was removed. It is hard to believe that all CCTV cameras, installed at most important locations of the city, were non-functional. It is a clear case of the police succumbing to the political pressures. A sorry state of affairs indeed!

SC Luthra, Chandigarh

Failed to implement law

It has been observed in the past that in such cases involving influential people, the police failed to take strict action. It is a pity that the law works differently for different people in the country. We have faltered on the implementation of the law despite having ample provisions to deal with such cases. I agree with the Haryana Chief Minister that the father of the accused can’t be told to step down for the crime committed by his son.

Tarlok Singh, Mani Majra

Cops need to work with honesty

Policemen should do their duty with utmost honesty. They should erect special nakas at every chowk during night. The higher authorities should ensure that the policemen do not drink or take alcohol on duty. They should adopt work with impartiality. Police patrolling should be increased at night.

Sumesh Kumar Badhwar, Mohali

Law must be same for everyone

It’s not wrong to say that the authorities have adopted a casual approach towards such incidents. The safety of all, without any discrimination on the basis of gender, should be priority. Any form of crime is the result of a non-vigilant attitude. The law should be same for everyone.

PK Patpatia

Make special security arrangements

Women are not safe in today’s world. Special security arrangements should be introduced for the safety of women. CCTV Cameras should be installed. Women helpline should be working 24x7.

Arshia Mittal, Ambala City

Chip in to help police, admn

The case of Varnika is condemnable, so are the others. The bright side is that the Chandigarh Police did react fast and nabbed the culprits in no time. How do we improve the law and order situation in the city and make it safe for women in the light of a huge population of students. The police should be well trained and equipped to deal with modern-day crimes. Senior police officials will have to set an example. Let’s stop being spectators and start helping the police and the UT Administration in making the city safer and better. When everyone becomes a stakeholder in the good for the city, it will certainly become smart.

Col RD Singh (retd), Ambala Cantt

Bring culprits to book

We are proud of the Chandigarh Administration and the police for maintaining the character of the city. However, in the Vikas Barala case, the Chandigarh Police, after showing initial professionalism, seem to be giving in to the political pressure. The case is being diluted and evidences tampered with. This gives a scary feeling, not only to the victim but also city residents. This dents the confidence of the residents. We, therefore, request the Prime Minister and the Home Minister to immediately step in and bring the culprits to book restore the confidence of residents in the authorities.

Amit Jain, Panchkula

Parents should play constructive role

First of all, parents should educate their drunken sons not to roam on roads. They should know to value their life and that of others. Policemen should be deployed all over the city. CCTV cameras should be installed all over the city and these should be of fine quality. The law should be same for everyone. All vulnerable spots in the city should be taken care of.

Opinder Kaur Sekhon, Chandigarh

Judicial reforms required

Needless to say, judicial reforms are urgently required in the country. The safety and security of women can’t be achieved without coordinated efforts of the police and prosecution in trial courts. Victims in rape cases shouldn’t be harassed during cross-examination and the dignity of women should be upheld. Special courts should be set up for women.

Sehajnoor Singh, Patiala

Upload FIR copy online

I wonder as to why the copy of the initial FIR registered at the Sector 26 police station on August 5 has not been uploaded online despite the fact that the Supreme Court of India in September 2016 had issued directions to upload all FIRs online within 24 hours of registering the case. The relaxation has been given only in sensitive cases. I wonder as to how the stalking case falls into this category.

Hemant Kumar, Ambala City

OPEN HOUSE COMMENT
Punish culprits, ensure women’s safety

Nitin Jain

THE high-profile Chandigarh stalking case has not only once again turned the spotlight on the safety and security of women in what has been so far considered a “safe city” but also dent the “professionalism” of the Chandigarh Police.

The way two youths—one being the son of Haryana BJP president Subhash Barala—high on the heady cocktail of power and liquor, chased and tried to obstruct the way and finally banged into the 29-year-old girl’s car, has raised serious concerns over women’s safety.

No doubt the UT Police acted swiftly in rescuing the brave girl, who happened to be a daughter of an Additional Chief Secretary-rank IAS officer of Haryana before she could be brought to harm by the spoiled brats, the action taken in registering what is being perceived a “weak” FIR and allowing “instant” bail to the perpetrators of crime, has led to a political slugfest and thrown the issue in the crosshairs of the national attention.

It was four days after what was considered as a “weak police case” triggered a nationwide outrage and a spate of protests that the UT Police pressed the non-bailable charge of attempt to abduct under Sections 365 and 511 of the IPC, which relates to attempt to commit an offence punishable with life or other imprisonment, against both suspects and put them under arrest once again.

The credibility of the Chandigarh Police has come under the scanner for not adding at the first stage charges of attempt to kidnap, harassment and the intent to outrage her modesty as alleged by the victim in her initial police complaint. Worse still, a routine non-committal statement “the accused will be punished, if found guilty” by Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who made an attempt to trivilalise the incident to an individual-level has impaired the saffron party’s “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from nowhere else but Haryana (Panipat).

Some Opposition leaders feel the BJP has rather launched a vicious, “save the son, slander the daughter” campaign by seeking to defame the daring girl who had the guts to take on the unlawful proclivities of the all-powerful Barala son. It was high time the ruling dispensation at the Centre, which governs the Union Territory of Chandigarh, stepped in to ensure that the dent caused to the image and conduct of the UT Police in this case was repaired, and justice was done to the victim. That only strictest possible punishment to the suspects would make women feel safe and secure in Chandigarh needs no reiteration.

OPEN HOUSE QUESTION

After the recent high-profile stalking case involving the son of Haryana BJP president Subhash Barala and the daughter of a senior IAS officer, concern is being raised over the safety and security of women in Chandigarh. Do you think the city is safe for women? Do you think there is a need to sensitise the youth at the school and college level about stalking and other such acts. Should the youngsters be taught about the level of tolerance, how to react, protect themselves and report such cases? Send your comments in not more than 70 words at [email protected]