GS1 – Indian Society
Context
The tragic suicide of a 20-year-old B.Ed student in Odisha, following the neglect of her repeated complaints of sexual harassment, has once again brought to light the persistent issue of gender-based violence in environments considered safe, such as educational institutions and workplaces.
Structural and Institutional Deficiencies
- Lack of Awareness:
In many rural and tier-2 institutions, awareness about Internal Complaint Committees (ICCs) remains inadequate. This severely weakens the redressal mechanism envisaged under the POSH Act. - Failures in Grievance Redressal:
Even after reaching out to the highest state authority—the Chief Minister’s office—the student’s pleas went unanswered, highlighting an alarming culture of institutional apathy and lack of accountability. - Enforcement Deficits:
The absence or dysfunctionality of ICCs, which are legally mandated under the 2013 POSH Act, underscores rampant non-compliance across institutions. - Recurring Pattern of Misuse of Power:
Incidents such as gang rape at a law college in West Bengal and sexual assault by lecturers in Mangaluru reveal that even educational spaces are becoming arenas for the abuse of power and sexual violence. - Lack of Data Transparency:
The delay in publishing the NCRB’s Crime in India 2023 report reflects a transparency gap. In 2022, 4,45,256 cases of crimes against women were reported—a 4% rise from the previous year. However, the actual figures are likely much higher due to widespread underreporting driven by fear, stigma, and low trust in the justice system.
Societal Implications
- Trust Erosion:
Frequent cases of institutional neglect are corroding public faith in systems designed to safeguard and empower citizens. - Victim Silencing:
Delayed or absent justice mechanisms discourage survivors from speaking out, which in turn contributes to persistent underreporting. - Increased Vulnerability:
The growing insecurity among students, particularly women, negatively impacts their education, mental health, and personal safety. - Perpetuation of Gender Inequality:
When redressal fails, it reinforces existing gendered power structures, weakening constitutional guarantees of equality and dignity. - Constitutional Challenges:
Such systemic failures undermine the constitutional principles of equality (Article 14), dignity (Article 21), and non-discrimination (Article 15), which are essential to a just and inclusive democracy.
Way Forward
- Institutional Overhaul:
Mandatory establishment, regular training, and independent audits of ICCs across all institutions should be ensured. - Transparent Data Reporting:
Timely release of NCRB data is essential. Sexual violence in campuses and workplaces must be recorded as separate, trackable categories. - Strengthened Accountability:
Introduce penalties for institutional heads who fail to comply with POSH norms. Establish safe and anonymous digital reporting mechanisms. - Mandatory Sensitisation:
All students, faculty, and administrative staff should undergo compulsory gender sensitivity training and redressal awareness programs. - Public Awareness Campaigns:
Sustained media and public campaigns are needed to normalise reporting and to maintain momentum on gender justice beyond reactionary responses to crises.