Letters: What an irony

With reference to the thought-provoking editorial, "Still no country for women" (December 16), it is a matter of grave concern that despite the large-scale protests after the December 16, 2013, gang rape of a paramedical student in the national capital and her subsequent death, there has been no visible improvement in terms of justice for crimes against women.

Ironically, the idealistic views of social reformers and the country's so-called think tank on the issue of the release of the juvenile who was involved in the crime have prolonged his due conviction on technical grounds (read age). But why? It would be naive to assume that he did not know the implications of his actions on the night of December 16. Shouldn't the punishment always be commensurate with the nature and gravity of the offence committed even if the accused is a minor? It should be, yet there are so many ifs and buts.

As long as our police authorities remain indifferent and conduct shoddy investigations even in heinous cases, there is no hope. The current poor rate of conviction and our archaic justice delivery system could serve as encouragement, even a breeding ground, for crime. If one considers the official data on crimes against women, the situation has worsened across the country, with Delhi occupying a key position.

It is pathetic to learn that "two years after Parliament passed the workplace sexual harassment law, nearly 97 per cent of organisations are unaware of it". Does this not sound unbelievable in the era of information technology?

The editorial cites some "extraordinary developments" at The Energy and Resources Institute or Teri. It must have been humiliating and frustrating for the woman employee who had to finally leave Teri in the absence of any worthy support from expected quarters.

It seems our concerns for the safety and security of women have largely remained confined to paper. Moreover, our national political leaders don't have time for such petty issues. What an irony.

S Kumar, New Delhi

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