After the recent Delhi Gang Rape incident, we witnessed a National uprising and Global awakening on issues of Women Safety.
Justice Verma Committee recently invited suggestions from the general public on 'Measures to make the city safe'. Here is what I submitted..................
Respected
Justice Verma Committee,
SUBJECT:
Suggestions as a law abiding civil society member
Dear
Ma’am/Sir,
I don’t have a law
background but am a law abiding citizen of this country and as a woman I think
I am in a good enough position to propose some meaningful and practical
solutions to your committee. We are really banking on you to MAKE SURE that the
voice of civil society is not ignored this time. So a big Thank you in advance
for taking up this task.
Let me begin by saying
that for any problem, the solution is not one-sided, Infact it is
multi-dimensional and holistic. So, the
system in entirety needs to be reformed!
1)
SPEEDY JUSTICE AND STRICT PUNISHMENT
Sentences for All RAPE
cases must be pronounced within 6 months of the incident. Now it is upto the
court to calculate and decide how many Fast track courts they need to
establish! We want speedy trial and STRICT PUNISHMENT. The minimum sentence
period should be 20 years and RAPE CULPRITS are CULPRITS, their AGE is no
consideration. Whether juveniles or adults imprisonment for 20yrs is a must!
All rape cases are ‘Rarest of rare’ cases for the victim and their families.
There should be no differentiation and discrimination. Till this country does
not enforce STRICT Punishment, nothing will change. And let us not bring
‘Reforming the criminals’ topic into the arena of a Heinous crime like RAPE.
Spare these cases from petty punishments and SET an example in all cases by
pronouncing the most strict punishment possible.
2)
GENDER SENSITISATION + LEGAL EDUCATION courses in schools
Some may question the
impact or real output of Gender sensitisation classes at school level. But I
feel it should still be introduced, because such interventions work in the long
term to produce the desired outcomes.
This should be
accompanied with gender sensitisation of trainers as well! i.e. ‘Training of trainers’. Those who would
be imparting the subject, should themselves first be sensitised to ensure that
the treatment of course is serious and that they are truly dedicated towards
the basic premise or soul behind this course. Treating it as just another
subject or not applying suitable pedagogy won’t serve the purpose. It should be
included in the UGC course for teachers (within .NET and B.Ed training).
Also, along with this
subject, a module on ‘Legal education’
is very important. Knowledge about one’s basic rights and punishments for
criminal offences should be imparted to the general public. We should start by
introducing it in schools. Law as a subject is currently treated like a highly
specialised, college level course. Introducing legal education at all spheres
of general public should follow next.
3)
In order to make a city safe, it is essential to establish and maintain an efficient and safe public transport system.
Auto rickshaws and buses must display their number plate, Name of the driver
and owner, mobile number and other details INSIDE the bus! Clearly and legibly
so that passengers can note this information. A database on all the public transport DRIVERS should be maintained
by a suitable authority. Licenses should be granted based on a Character
Certificate. The State must have all the details of operators and Drivers of
these vehicles AT ALL TIMES.
4)
Mass recruitment of women in the police
force and giving special powers and positions to them for women safety is
the need of the hour. Besides this, HOLISTIC
training of all men constables (since they form the majority of police
force) should be introduced. Besides physical training this should include basic
legal education, gender sensitisation, Behavioural response and training on
manner of treatment of sensitive cases related to women safety, Training on
ethics, etiquettes and communication skill impartment.
5)
Introducing self defence classes and
encouraging fitness classes in all cities is a plausible solution. As a
nation we must encourage and build a Sports tradition. While many private
tutors and organisations exist in the sector of ‘Fitness and Health’, basic
infrastructure (Stadiums, open spaces, equipments, and monetary support) is
MISSING. Encouraging martial arts training, self defence training and basic
physical fitness through sports will go a long way in making both men and women
independent and secure in terms of the safety.
6)
PCR vans- REFORMS required
PCR vans were
introduced with the principle of making the city safe. These ‘mobile safety
wagons’ were supposed to bring down crime levels. They were meant to make us
feel safe and secure and also enable speedy disposal of complaints against
crime.
Now the time of reforms
has come. We must investigate and analyse, what real impact have they got in
this city? Have they really helped in bringing down the crime? Do they respond
well? Are they vigilant enough. Recent exposes by media and general
observations of citizens have revealed that their presence makes no difference
and acts as no deterrent to criminals.
In my own colony in
Jasola, New Delhi, these PCR vans roam around for collecting ‘Hafta’ from the
market and street vendors. They also take bribes from plot owners who are
constructing their homes in this new colony for stuff like: Use of Borewell, as
a ‘tradition’ each time when a roof is laid during the construction of a
building. It is appalling to see them so dedicated and active in making rounds
for these ‘UNSCONSTITUTIONAL’ and ‘ILLEGAL’ activities and not for our SAFETY.
I suggest their patrolling charts should be prepared and
made public in all localities. Whenever they patrol they should periodically
use their siren (in many cases crime has been averted out of fear in the
criminal when he hears a siren).
7)
Sensitivity in registering an FIR or
recording a complaint for RAPE/MOLESTATION/STALKING/EVE-TEASING
Women should have a Right
to give a statement in presence of a Woman police officer PRIVATELY! Police
should be penalised for not following what is already there in our laws.
According to law, a women rape victim can demand a private meeting in a
comfortable environment (in home with her family members) with only one police
officer present to record her statement. They should not be subjected to public
humiliation. Moreover, many rape cases go unreported for the same reason (OUT
OF THE FEAR OF recounting the horrific experience in front of NON GENDER
sensitised constables and police station staff!)
8)
Use of ICT
It is high time the
Indian security/police force adopts and USE better technology and communication
tools. Known as ICT (Information-Communication-Technology) it includes usage of
various tools like GPS, Internet, Database management system, Management
information system (MIS), Smart phones with special apps, cameras, BETTER
patrolling vehicles etc. The government must immediately disburse funds and
come up with a BUDGET for the police force, so that our police stations and
personnel can be better equipped to handle crime. Email ids and Facebook accounts
must be created for registering complaint and for interacting with the
citizens.
9)
Better living conditions & Better
salaries for our police personnel
At the end, we have to
accept their JOB is tough and they work round the clock for us. Least the
government can do is to INCENTIVISE this JOB. Only then will more and more
people will be willing to join the police force.
10)
Regular public consultations by local
police stations.
In our daily routine we
hardly interact with our police personnel. Each local police station must get
in touch with the locality’s RWA president or citizen group. He/She should then
regularly interact with citizen forums from his jurisdictional area to ensure
that the local citizens feel safe and communicate their concerns from time to
time.
CITIZENS CAN BE THE
EYES, they can report suspicious activity, unsafe areas or points that require
attention and also report cases or even small incidences from time to time. An
active society and police station would indeed DETER crime!
Such
meeting can be organised once in a month and a nodal person should be appointed
immediately.
11)
BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE
Well-lit areas are
important in making us feel secure. The least the government can do is, that
they should install CCTVs at all corners, road junctions, market places, bus
stops etc. With a DEDICATED SURVEILLANCE TEAM to monitor the movements in these
areas.
Streetlights must be
installed in working condition and the entire city should be lit up! Investment
in SAFETY infrastructure is URGENTLY required. There is an option of solar
street lights these days (they store the power during day and light up in night
using the same!) This would reduce cost.
THANK YOU,
Yours Sincerely,
Rozita Singh