Presidential denunciation

President Ram Nath Kovind’s condemnation of the gruesome murder of a girl in Kathua underlines the Indian political class’ unanimity over the grossness of the crime. But such unequivocal condemnations from the country’s top leadership should have come earlier. Even then, it is a positive step. Partisan constraints were at work to hobble the condemnation of the incident of brutality against a child. This is the unfortunate reality of our national body politic, and it was, indeed, expected that the President would rise to the call of humanity. He was also critical of the rape in Unnao and similar incidents that have occurred in different parts of the country.

The President is right in highlighting that protecting and securing every child is the first responsibility of any society. It is unfortunate that we have failed as a nation to ensure the safety of our children, particularly the girl child. The convocation at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, which the President was addressing, highlighted the achievements of the girl students, who won eight out of 12 gold medals. Indeed, women have shown their mettle in all spheres of life. Yet India has been unable to ensure their safety. Seven decades after Independence, India as a society has been amiss in providing a safe environment to its children and women. Misogyny is deeply ingrained, and manifests itself in manners subtle and heinous. This attitude that is also transported into political life has to change, for society to change as well. Swift apprehension of the suspects and timely delivery of justice will be a deterrent to such criminals. Though laws have been tightened post-Nirbhaya, there has been no change in societal attitudes towards women.

There can never be any justification to rationalise violence against children. The President’s unambiguous condemnation must set the tone for those who experience a certain moral ambiguity in the fog of partisan politics. Rape and murder is unacceptable, and must always be so. Those guilty of such heinous crimes deserve absolute condemnation, even as long arm of the law apprehends them and the courts give justice to the victims, or in this case, to the victim’s family.