Stamp out stalking

Stamp out stalking

We will soon be celebrating 70 years of India's freedom, but when will the struggle for women's freedom be won? Despite the constitutional principle of equality , Indian women constantly find themselves treated as second-class citizens in patriarchal public spaces, where their safety continues to be compromised. The most recent manifestation of this is the Chandigarh stalking case involving the son of BJP's Haryana chief Subhash Barala. The survivor, Varnika Kundu, is among those rare women who actually spoke out about their ordeal. She has vowed to pursue justice and set an example for all women who suffer silently in such cases.
In doing so, Varnika will be taking on a system that is geared towards protecting the powerful. She has already had to face attacks from BJP leaders who prefer to blame the victim, questioning her lifestyle and what she was doing driving alone at night. Plus, there are accusations that the Chandigarh police ¬ who Varnika credits for rescuing her ¬ diluted the charges against the accused under political pressure.
Statistics bear out that even though stalking cases have been rising over the past few years, convictions remain abysmally low. Of the 7,132 cases of stalking registered in 2016 only 379 resulted in convictions ¬ a rate of only 5%. With such numbers it's hardly surprising that stalking continues to be so widespread. Moreover, a lacklustre approach to tackling stalking emboldens more serious crimes against women, which are also legion.
Part of the solution needs to be shunning the VIP culture and sense of entitlement that encourages stalking and other crimes. Accused from influential backgrounds or with powerful connections interfere in police investigation, leading to delays and sabotage. Since BJP has taken a public position against VIP culture, it must let the Chandigarh stalking case reach its logical conclusion without interference. Its Chandigarh MP Kirron Kher's view, that the blame can't be put on women in stalking cases, ought to find larger resonance in BJP. If the Chandigarh case has caused great embarrassment to BJP, as there are widespread allegations it is pressuring the police to protect its own rather than protect women, the best way to save itself from such ignominy in future ¬ as well as to strike a blow against VIP culture and for good governance ¬ is to facilitate much needed police reforms across the country .