I respect the court. The judiciary is a strong pillar of our democracy. We believe in the judicial process, but justice must not only be done, but must also be seen. I am saying this today not against any court, not to hurt any institution, but as a voice of the pain of a victimized daughter and the conscience of society. Today, we teach young daughters about good touch and bad touch, telling them not to be afraid, to report anyone who dares to do something. But what did this mean? A daughter mustered up the courage to speak the truth, but what did she receive? Struggle, pain, humiliation, and ultimately, a shattered trust. Today, when news of bail in such a case comes, the heart hurts. The heart cries. I feel like turning into Kali Chandi with anger, because I too am a daughter.
When the accused in a serious crime like rape are granted relief, the victims’ morale is broken. Other daughters learn to remain silent because they fear, “If I tell the truth, will I have to endure the same fate?” That’s why incidents like the Kolkata doctor’s case, the Unnao case, and the recent case of a 13-year-old innocent girl in Jalandhar have happened. Criminals are emboldened, and people are afraid of the birth of a daughter. I’m writing this not against any individual, but against crime and in favor of women’s dignity. In such cases, society must send a clear message: no matter how powerful the perpetrator, he or she is not above the law. I want to say that delays in justice and relief for the perpetrator increase the suffering of the victim. When the victim’s trust is broken, it impacts the entire society and weakens it. My voice is for justice. This is not anger; it is the pain of a conscious citizen.
We expect the judiciary to understand the pain of the victim, her mother, and assure all the daughters of the country that the honor of a daughter is supreme in India. May the justice of the judiciary, and the trust in the judiciary, reach the hearts of every common man, every parent, and every daughter. Today, I am neither speaking nor writing from any political platform. Today, I am writing as the voice of a daughter, and I will continue to do so when the time comes.
When the rape case came to light, the entire country was shaken. A daughter showed courage, spoke the truth, and stood up to injustice. What all did she endure? The loss of her father, fear, threats, humiliation, and the longest wait. Today, when an accused in such a serious crime is granted bail, it breaks the heart. The question arises in the mind: Is a daughter’s pain so cheap? Will her screams and courage be buried in paper? I repeat again: I respect the judiciary. I trust the law, but justice should not only be imparted through the language of the law, but also through the language of the heart. I want this daughter and other victimized daughters to receive justice quickly. The culprits should receive a strong message, and society should be informed that daughters are not weak.
If we remain silent today, another daughter will cry tomorrow. If we don’t question, injustice will only grow stronger. Therefore, today, the suffering of daughters must be prioritized. Justice must be such that no daughter feels afraid. No parent should be held in shame, and every criminal must think a hundred times before committing a crime, knowing that escaping the law is not easy. Today, I raise this voice with my pen, through anger, hatred, pain, and responsibility. Only when a daughter receives justice is the entire society safe. My voice is raised in support of a daughter’s honor because I am a daughter, a mother, a grandmother, and a sister. Justice must be such that a daughter is not afraid and society does not remain silent. I am the daughter’s voice because I am a daughter. Today, many women’s organizations are raising their voices against this decision and protesting. I have shared many platforms with Yogita Bayana to raise the voice of victims. She works for women through an organization called Pari.
The victim’s mother is crying out that she has lost faith in the judiciary. Women’s organizations are also pleading for justice in the Supreme Court. The CBI itself has approached the Supreme Court to cancel Sengar’s bail. The CBI must ensure the safety of the victim and her family. Justice is not enough; it must also be seen to be done. Considering the nature of the crime, the guilty must be punished and justice must be done to the victim. Failure to do so will disrupt the judicial process itself. If public trust in the judiciary is lost, there is a danger of anarchy spreading in society. Justice Krishna Iyer remarked in a case that a murderer kills the body, but a rapist kills the soul. Rape is the destruction of a woman’s rights. Laughing at the victim’s pain is the result of a poor mindset and mentality. The victim needs not only emotional support but also wiping her tears. Therefore, it is essential that she gets justice. Moreover, there is still a great need to ensure the safety of this daughter. The safety of daughters is crucial today.
