Ruptured Dreams of Flying: The Survivors of Acid Attack

“It’s a dispirited and painful life we get after the death”, said a rape survivor from South Delhi.

Mass molestation of women on New Year’s Eve in Bengaluru may have broken the cold soul of Indians and brought enough media coverage but providing security to the women isno one’sconcern. No one is bothered how a rape victim or an acid attacksurvivor, spends the rest of their lives.

Every second minute, a crime is reported against women in India. If National Crime Record Bureau of the year 2013 is to be believed, on an average 92 women are raped each day.We are not even talking about the unreported cases.

“After being married I have often witnessed beating from my husband. I know he’s in a relationship with some other women, but what can I do? I have to look after my children and haveaccepted this as my destiny”, said Ruksana (name changed) a middle-aged woman who has never reported thisto any police station.

The heinous crime like rape is a fourth most common crime committed against women in India. Rape is proceeded by domestic violence, abduction and molestation. And there is no provision of rehabilitation either.

“My employer alwayshad wrong intentionsbut when I opposed, I was attacked by his driver.” said Basanti Devi an acid attack survivor. “Winter or summer, I feel the blood rushing from my skin. I am uncomfortable with clothes after the accident and for the poor people, like us, it is hard to survive without support,” she added.

In April 2011, she became the survivor of an acid attack and since then she is fighting for the justice. “I have told everyone, that I was caught up in fire. If they find out the truth, I will be the onequestioned and blamed”, she said when questioned about society’s attitude towards her. ­­­

In February 2013, the act of acid attack was classified as a distinct, non-bailable and specific offense under the section 326A and 326B of the IPC. This includes penalty of imprisonment for a durationfrom 10 years to life term. However, it is to be noted that from the data available from ‘Acid Survivor Foundation India’ it is observed that there has been an increase in cases of acid attacks. The attacks have almost increased four-timesfrom the year 2013 to the year 2015.

A survivor of the attack is likely to compromise with the culprit as they see no other hope. They become economically vulnerable and socially rejected. Even in the case of Basanti Devi, who was asked to close the case with the offer of 5o lakhs.She accepted the proposal but soon realised that it wasjust a false promise.

Mamta, a young lady becamea victim to an acid attack in the year 2010. One side of her face was burnt. Since then, she is daily undergoing immense trauma. She was attacked by none other than her husband. She was pregnant and lost her child. “He always demanded a caras dowry and we usually got intoconflicts over that. One morning he came and poured acid over my face up to the shoulder”, she said.

“Since my marriage, I have been a victim of domestic violence and have complained several times tothe nearby police station. They (police) never helped me.Instead they asked me to compromise by saying ‘it’s your family issue’. Even after hurting my brother and murdering my child he (culprit) managed to get bailsoon after being arrested. Police has always been mild towards him,” she replied when asked about further progress in her case.

The role of police has forever been questionable. Police stationsare often seenas ahouse of corruption. In the case of Mamta as well as of Basanti Devi, the police probe worsened the case. In the former, police never took any action when domestic violence was reported, while in the latter, police supported the culprit.

“I was a beautician, but since my face is distorted & damaged, nobody hires me though I am talented. After this incident, my dreams are wounded”, said Mamta. Like Mamta, Basanti Devi too had dreams of better future but after the incident, no one is willing to offer them a job.

Tania Singh, the Marketing and communication head for Make Love Not Scars which extensively works for acid attacked survivors, said, “Women as considered as sub-human beings and people have no compassion and empathy towards her.”

The chapters of exploiting womenbegins from home where a child learns from his father’s attitude towards themother and his domination over his sister.

Domestic violence against women is deeply rooted and beating is often justified across Indian regions and religions.

Lack of education, awareness, and extreme poverty may be the reason but above all, there is no fear of legal repercussion in India. “The ratio of policemen is extremely low to control crimes or to implement laws”, Singh further added.

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