Is this the practical model of ‘Beti Bachao’?

The incident in Bihar's Jamui, where a class 10 schoolgirl returning home was subjected to horrifying sexual assault, has drawn fierce national criticism toward the BJP-led state government. The girl, returning home with a friend around 7 p.m. after tuition on Saturday evening, was brutally attacked by a group of young men. The videos in circulation show the girl crying out in terror and folding her hands in desperation to the masked gang attempting to grope her, alongside footage of the attackers forcibly dragging her away. The visuals also capture the two teenagers trying to flee on a nearby scooter while the assailants relentlessly pursue and attack them. While the Bihar Police stated that all suspects have been identified, the National Commission for Women directed the Bihar DGP to ensure their immediate arrest. Simultaneously, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, launched a scathing attack on the state government, questioning why girls are not safe on public roads even at 7 p.m. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge condemned the assault in Jamui as a disgrace, linking it to another recent horrific case in Delhi where a 17-year-old girl was gang-raped and murdered. Kharge charged that such atrocities completely expose the hypocrisy behind the BJP's high-decibel slogans like Nari Shakti Vandan and Beti Bachao. Sharply criticising the Bihar administration, Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, denounced the BJP-led government as utterly lacking shame, awareness, or decency, pointing out that atrocities against women in Bihar are increasing relentlessly.

Also read: ‘Moral police decently’: BJP minister on assault on boy, girl

Unfortunately, the recurring sexual assaults on young girls and women are not isolated incidents confined to Bihar or Delhi. It was following the infamous 2012 Nirbhaya case — which shocked the entire nation when it had to bow its head in shame — that the then UPA government enacted the POCSO Act. However, National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) statistics reveal that even after bringing into force the POCSO Act, which ensures the most stringent punishment for sexual assaults against minors of all genders, governments have failed to reduce such attacks, and they have instead continued to rise. As Kharge pointed out, states like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra — all ruled by the BJP, which aggressively trumpets the Beti Bachao slogan — stand at the forefront of child abuse cases. Nationally, the total registered cases rose by 6% in 2024 compared to 2023. POCSO cases alone reached 69,191, accounting for 37% of total crimes against children. Even in Kerala in recent times, sexual violence targeting minors has been increasing rather than abating.

Also read: 56-year-old tailor arrested for sexual assault of minor in Delhi market

Although constant discussions and warnings persist across our media regarding why this situation — which forces any conscious human being to hang his head — prevails, the primary responsibility resting upon central and state governments remains unfulfilled. Our social fabric is increasingly decaying into the sum total of numerous societal evils such as: police forces, with no dearth of criminals among their ranks, political leaders excelling at shielding offenders, unbridled youth misconduct, the demoralisation of the education system, the influx of black money, severe parental negligence, the breakdown of family structures, and the unchecked flow of narcotics. This destructive phenomenon cannot be stopped or controlled through mutual blame-shifting or unrealistic claims. A positive transformation can only be expected if all humanitarian people concerned about the healthy future of coming generations awaken and work collectively for a peaceful social existence and survival. That being said, governments — regardless of who holds power — attempting to shirk their primary responsibility of maintaining law and order must be put on trial.

Also read: Kozhikode: Woman drugged, gang-raped at multiple locations; 4 held