I don't like raising this issue in one of my posts, because people don't like bad things. Most of us prefer to read a story with a happy ending that gives some sort of good feelings, but turning a blind eye to the bad stuff won't keep them away. These will boomerang with a lot of force. Therefore, I feel such things should be discussed and condemned, and ways to minimise and mitigate should be found out.
The gruesome murder of a 16-year-old girl in Delhi last week shook the conscience of the entire nation. The brutality and cruelty with which this heinous act was carried out is unparalleled.
CCTV footage showed a 20-year-old boy stabbing her several times, then kicking her a few times, before smashing her head with a cement slab. What provoked the boy was the girl's decision to distance herself from him and go back to her old flame.
Murders are as old as human beings, but the way the incidents of murders are increasing, and that too by youngsters, throws away many issues to ponder.
The crime was committed not in a secluded place, but in broad daylight with many passersby witnessing the girl being stabbed. Everyone walked away as if they didn't see anything wrong. Had any one of them intervened, or even thrown a stone at the boy, this horrific murder could have been prevented, but they chose to remain blind.
There are always lame excuses that they don't want to get involved in the police investigation and lengthy legal formalities, and there was a risk to their own lives. But suppose if the girl had been the daughter or sister of an onlooker, would the reaction have been the same?
This is nothing but a gross lack of civic sense among the common people, the silent majority, who by keeping silent become accomplices of the murderer.
This was precisely the reason why the murderer was so sure that no one would come forward to stop him. People have become so thick skinned. It's a shame to be such a human.
Political leaders start mud-slinging at each other raising the issue of law and order. But is it really so? The Police cannot be present on every street and road at all times, or inside every home.
In a role reversal, a college girl (21) stabbed her boyfriend (22) to death during a heated argument while studying together in the boy's rented room in Wagholi. How can Police stop such crimes?
But at the same time, there should be fear of law that in case of crime, he or she will be punished more quickly. But what actually happens is known to everyone, and therefore potential criminals don't hesitate. They know that the case will take years and decades to conclude, and that during the process, it may be possible that no witnesses come forward and the culprit is acquitted.
And even if he is punished, and awarded life imprisonment, he will get relief under some pretect, apart from getting periodical furloughs.
Coming back to the case, the murderer told the police that he killed her in a fit of rage and has "no regrets." It also highlights the high level of libido among the young people and how they are unprepared to accept a "No" for a "No".
Nowadays it has become a trend among teenagers to be in a relationship. Breakups and multiple BFs and GFs are the rule rather than the exception. At such a young age, instead of devoting their time to studies and school, they wander in areas where they reach the point of no return.
I feel that there is no family support in such cases, and it seems these youths have no or very low EQ.
While parental responsibilities are being avoided, social media plays a destructive role. Social networking sites not only help them find matches online, but also help them commit crimes. This is the reason why recent heinous acts have been committed by first-timers.
There are many issues which do not give comfort. Our teenagers need proper guidance, counselling and support both in school and family.
Law and court should be like a hot stove which treats everyone equally. Also there is a need to introduce something like Good Samaritan law to protect people from harassment if they help someone in distress or in an accident.
--Kaushal Kishore
images: TOI
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