Hathras Incidence is a Warning

These images, I wish ( as I wish every once in a while when such images pop up) remains alive in our collective conscience for long, to help us become a better country. Let’s first collect the facts of the case

1. A 19 year old lady was allegedly brutally gang raped and left to die almost unconscious
2. The brother and mother reported the matter to the police — they did not know about the rape as the girl wasn’t able to talk. First FIR — lodged on 14th was of physical assault. Police intially denied rape or sexual assault
3. Her tounge got cut in the scuffle, spinal cord injured, neck broken and well you get the picture
4. On 22nd the girl reported rape and new FIR was lodged — sexual assault and attempt to muder added.

As if this incidence itself was not horrific enough. What followed reveals a completely rotten, insensitive and ineffective administration system and its horrors.

• The police initially denied sexual assault — the first statement from medical examiner also denied spinal cord injury that was later confirmed.
• Eventually after the death of the victim the body is brought to her village — there are videos of police trying to convince the family to conduct the funeral immediately suggesting errors have happened by both the family and the police.
• It seems, the family did not agree to the mid night cremation. The police then cremated the body at night allegedly without the presence of the family.

• The government then sealed the village and banned entry of media and stopped meeting or communicating of any family members with the media.

• A child from the village escaped the cordon and reached the media waiting outside the village is on record reporting the complete seize in the village
• Soon after the funeral the DM declared that according to the forensic reports there was no rape happened.
• While some of the BJP leaders were able to meet the family easily opposition political leaders were stopped forcefully to enter the village and meet the family.
• Protest march against the incidence were not allowed at the India Gate.
• Protest candle march did happen at Jantar Mantar — there is news that many organisations and NGOs who staged these protests have been booked under the epidemic control act.
• The interesting thing is similar protests have bee staged in UP in favour of the accused in the case allegedly by the upper caste — there was no action against that group.

• In any case we have seen multiple and continued political rallies of the ruling parties with little or no sense of social distancing — but such provisions do not get initiated against them.
• It seems the phone of either the family members of the victim or of a few journalists is being tapped and is being selectively leaked to discredit the journalist and her reporting.
• Video of the DM threats “Media will go away soon — we shall remain” the to the family appeared.

While there have been many horrific incidences of rape (like that of Delhi Nirbhaya case) — the brazen sense of impunity with which police and administration tried to suppress the information and the case itself is plainly sickening.

In the parallel world of social media, there have been flurry of long WhatsApp posts being circulated — quite predictably the IT cell signature style — to prove that rape did not happen, that such cases have been selectively hyped, that the victim had a relationship with those who are rape accused in the case — listing down many cases of women accusing rape/teasing to target a person that opposition parties are milking the issue for political gains — in short use anything from misinformation to whataboutery to irrelevant rant to character assassination simply to discredit the victim’s family.

We now have the DM nd the SP removed/transferred in a so called “strict” action. And finally the case has been handed over to the CBI (read dilatory tactic)

There are reports that Narco tests will be conducted of everyone involved in the case including the family members of the victim’s family — really !? Those suggesting probably have no idea of the law on this — of course respect for law is another matter. Anyways this seems like another “planted” news in a series of them to intimidate.

People often ask me why I worry so much about autonomy of constitutional institutions — Hathras case is a burning example of what can happen to Governance if it is filled with toady people cosying up to the Government of the day. It is an example of fast crumbling of what was once a vibrant robust democracy.

Thankfully, it is not completely broken because there remain brave and committed people like the journalist Tanuhree Pandey who still fight the system and are able to show what kind of attitudes are governing us.

However, unless the citizens of this country grow up beyond the rhea chakroboty’s and bollywood drug drama — even this small breed may be doused soon — as the shutting down of Amnesty India or Governments submission to the court about regulating digital media shows. The details of Hathras case are a warning of the breakdown of the systems of checks and balances inherent in the constitution of India. The endgame may not be far if we fail to speak up and act.