A few cops idled near the crime scene, when we arrived at Pappanad village, around 25 km from Thanjavur town, on August 24. It was a dilapidated shed, with a bench in the centre, surrounded by thick grass. The area was unkempt, littered with debris and beer bottles lay scattered. The grass around the shed had been trimmed following a tragic gang rape less than a fortnight ago.
The small, bare, rundown structure belied the horrific series of events that had transpired here, when a 23-year-old woman had been brutally assaulted by six men just 10 days ago. The details were chilling: she had been forcibly held down on the bench, beaten with an empty beer bottle and physically overpowered into silence. The shed loomed beside the modest two-room house where the survivor’s father slept, oblivious, as six men assaulted his daughter.
Her father opened the door. He appeared fatigued and worried. He spoke very little. And when he did, it was in a hushed tone. The reluctance to talk to a stranger was obvious. Wait for my son in-law, he says.
Senthil arrives shortly. He is the husband of the survivor’s sister. Senthil leads us to the survivor’s refuge, a tiny room where she sat on the bare floor. Despite her evident exhaustion, she managed a wan smile and offered me a chair. Only 10 days had passed since the brutal attack. Her wounds were raw, but not visible. As she began to speak, the story unfolded—how a system defeats a woman who gathers the courage to speak up. Her story is an answer to those who blame victims for ‘not reporting (the crime) on time’ and raise countless questions challenging the credibility of a rape survivor.
Despite being brutally attacked by a gang of men, she was brave enough to tell her father and brother-in-law what had happened to her immediately after reaching home. She was brave enough to go to the nearby police station to report the crime with no delay. But her bravery was dismissed.
Esta historia es de la edición September 11, 2024 de Outlook.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición September 11, 2024 de Outlook.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
The 'Invisible' Dalits
The debate over sub-categorisation of castes is likely to shape the political discourse in the upcoming state elections
Caste Census: To Conquer Or Conserve?
The caste census is generating heated debate, but even its most ardent proponents are not able to articulate a plan about how to use the resulting data
THE FATEFUL COMEDY
Actor-director Rajat Kapoor talks about adapting Fyodor Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov into a Hindi play
Mad Hatter
When a leader takes off his topi and holds it in his hands while appealing for votes, it signals something extraordinary
Circle Within Circles
The caste question in Muslims.
Backward March
The Maratha reservation question may continue to mire the next government in the state
The 69% Exception
Quota within quota: lessons to be learned from Tamil Nadu
United Indifference
The perils of tweaking tribal identities
Two Nations, Two Destinies
The widely differing balance of power between the military and civilian leadership in India and Pakistan has significantly impacted democracy in the two countries
Crème de la Crème
The mainstream society thinks reservations are against right to equality. It’s high time they are seen in the context of right to justice.