People's Democracy

THE All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) has expressed its sense of shock and horror at the rape of a disabled minor girl in a Mumbai suburban train, in full view of five other passengers. The dreadful incident is symbolic of the degeneration of social values where even such a horrific incident does not prompt people to intervene and prevent the crime.

The child could not scream or shout or speak because she was disabled. According to a senior correspondent of a newspaper present there, those who could have prevented the crime were "paralysed by fear." There is no report, however, that the rapist was either armed or violent. He was "drunk," but presumably sober enough to commit the crime of rape.

The AIDWA statement issued by its general secretary Brinda Karat on August 18 asked: Could not the five men who were witnesses, have prevented this terrible crime? Does not their silence amount to abetment of the crime?

The police have sought to justify their failure to provide security to women travellers, with the atrocious statement that police protection is provided only in the compartments reserved for women. Does this mean that women can travel in general compartments only at their own risk?

The AIDWA statement said it would be organising a protest action in Mumbai, along with other organisations. (INN)