LOK ISSUES
LOK ISSUES

THE VOICE OF THE FACELESS – Surela Mukherjee

However, in the aftermath of the tragic Nirbhaya case, acid attack was made a non-bail able offence, with the punishment ranging from ten years in jail up to life imprisonment. But the question remains – did it actually bring relief? There are many laws in the country but the lack of proper and effective implementation is the real problem. Here is a reality check that describes the condition of acid attack victims in India:
A report by Acid Survivors Trust International (London based Charity organization) reveals that there have been 1,500 acid attacks worldwide. These attacks have been done by family members or jilted lovers. The victims report that they are ostracized by the society and the pain that they have to go through can’t be expressed in words. They say that they have to fight the pain physically first and then emotionally and financially.Many are left blind and deaf.

Laxmi, a brave acid attack survivor who volunteers for NGO ‘Stop Acid Attacks’ asks, ‘where is the law?’ Sonali Mukherjee who also works for this NGO was attacked while she was asleep; the acid burned and disfigured her face. Her attackers were released after serving three years in prison. India has no official statistics to show the number of attacks, but to get to hear them often in the media. Which itself is a proof that there is no law to protect women and if any women tries to protect themselves then they will be attacked in the cruelest way possible.

Supreme Court of India passed a law that prohibits the sale of acids unless the seller makes a record of the buyers. According to this law the victims have to be paid $1,400 (Rs 88955.23). The victims should be paid at least third of their compensation within fifteen days of the attack. Here again there is no implementation of the law regarding the sale of acids that are used as household and industrial cleaners, since it is available at throwaway prices and nobody questions the intent of its purchase.

India Real Time (an online digital news portal by Wall Street Journal and Dow Jones) reports that the Supreme Court has given the State authorities a three months deadline to implement the new rules regarding the sale of acids that are used for the attacks.Supreme Court has instructed Indian states and Union territories to issue licenses to the retailers who sell acids. Shops have to keep a record of the buyer’s address and the quantity sold. Photo-identification will be required to purchase acids that will soon be categorized under poison.
Those below 18 years will not be allowed to purchase acids like hydrochloric, sulphuric and nitric acids. These acids burn flesh and are available just at twenty rupees. A register or logbook should be there to control the over the counter sale of acids in the first place. Retailers have to report the amount of acid stocked to the police, if they fail to do so then the undeclared stock will be confiscated and the shop owners will be charged 50,000 rupees. Strict laws and punishments can only prevent the menace of acid attacks.
As per recent reports there are about 35 acid attack victims in Delhi and chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has taken a decision to give them government jobs based on their qualifications and work experience.Those who are visually impaired and face problems to move around  will be hired as per their convenience. The Kejriwal government has instructed the services department to consider the applications by acid attack victim survivors on priority basis. These positions may be permanent or contractual. A committee will be formed to look into their needs. This decision comes as a result of representation by acid attack victims who are looking out for government jobs.

The Supreme Court has also directed private hospitals to provide free of cost treatment to the acid attack victims. The treatment covers costly plastic and corrective surgeries. A social justice bench headed by Madan B. Lokur and U.U Lalit states that hospitals should also provide free medicine, food and other facilities to the acid attack victims.

Alok Dixit, the founder of the NGO ‘Stop Acid Attacks’ said that these new rules shouldn’t be taken as a victory sign unless they are implemented and enforced properly. He is sure that the States and Union Territories will buy more time to control the sale of acids. Then there is corruption which acts as a hindrance to law enforcement in the country. He doubts that government can control acid attacks within three months. However, he welcomes the change in the law that is targeted towards the acid attack victims. In maximum cases women are the victims of acid attacks and the acid is generally thrown on the face to disfigure or maim them. Laxmi who was attacked in 2005 reports that these laws are not implemented since the proposals for attackers to compensate the victim was completely ignored.

There are brave women who despite being attacked don’t feel ashamed to face the society. After all it is not their fault. Another reason why acid attack goes unabated is that most women under these kinds of stress find it difficult to speak for them. It is high time that government comes forward to protect these victims against the remorseless attackers. Such cowardice and heinous crimes can only be curbed by spreading awareness. The Indian government has to understand that the victims are the citizens of the state who enjoy same rights as any other citizen.

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