Outrage, concern over domestic violence, acid attacks after Mandi tragedy

The gruesome acid attack in Mandi district, which claimed the life of a young woman after days of struggle, has triggered widespread outrage and renewed concerns over the rising trend of domestic violence and acid-related crimes in Himachal Pradesh.

Though the hill state has often been perceived as comparatively safer for women, activists warn that domestic violence is a silent epidemic here often ignored behind the façade of peaceful communities.

According to a retired senior police officer from Kullu Anup Thakur, underreporting remains a major concern, with many victims silenced by social stigma and fear of retaliation.

According to data available from the HP police department, this year alone, 138 cases of cruelty against women were registered across Himachal with Mandi reporting the highest number at 26, followed by Una with 22 cases.

Women’s rights groups say that the Mandi incident is not an isolated case. Over the past few years, Himachal has seen a worrying uptick in cases involving domestic abuse, stalking and gender-based violence.

“Acid attacks may still be relatively rare in Himachal, but domestic violence is alarmingly common,” said a Veena Vaidya, district president of Akhil Bhartiya Janvadi Mahila Samiti, Mandi. “Many women suffer silently until the situation becomes life-threatening.”

The Mandi case has drawn parallels to earlier incidents in Solan, Kangra and Una where women were subjected to brutal domestic assaults. Experts believe that patriarchal attitudes, alcohol abuse and lack of timely intervention create a dangerous environment for women in distressed marriages.

Why acid attacks still happen

Although the Supreme Court has imposed strict regulations on acid sale, enforcement remains inconsistent in smaller towns. Unregulated availability makes such attacks possible even today.

“Despite the laws, it is not very difficult to procure acid from local market areas,” said a social activist in Mandi. “A strong monitoring mechanism is urgently needed,” he added.

“Domestic violence is under reported,” said Anup Thakur, a retired police officer from Kullu, adding: “For every case registered, several others remain hidden due to social stigma.”

He said that it is the responsibility of every citizens, society, family and law enforcement agencies to make efforts to curb such incidents in future. Pro-active steps are needed for the purpose.

The Mandi tragedy has sparked protest by local women’s groups demanding, stricter enforcement of acid sale restrictions, fast-track courts for domestic violence and gender-based crimes, increased women’s counselling centres in rural and semi-urban areas and immediate financial and legal assistance for victims.

Experts argue that Himachal urgently needs a comprehensive domestic violence prevention framework — one that includes early intervention, community policing, rapid response for distressed women and stronger awareness campaigns.

As the latest Mandi case highlights, failure to act early can lead to irreversible tragedy.

The horrific death of a young woman, in the very place where she was supposed to feel safest, has forced the state to confront an uncomfortable truth: domestic violence is no longer invisible and acid attacks are no longer unimaginable.