THEME 2: SEXUAL VIOLENCE & HARASSMENT IS A WAY TO DENY ACCESS AND AGENCY TO DALIT WOMEN
CASE STUDY: COMMUNITY-WIDE ECONOMIC AND FEUDAL CONTROL IS MAINTAINED BY VIOLENCE AGAINST DALIT WOMEN
Pooja (name changed)
State: Gujarat
Date: April 2020
On 7th April 2020 early in the morning, Pooja was not seen in her home and so her mother sent her brother to look for her. Pooja was found lying near the water tank near her house. From there she was taken to the hospital where it was confirmed that she had sustained grievous injuries which included fractures, and she was raped.
Much before this incident happened, the accused used to harass her a lot. He used to follow her when she went to school and used to pressure her for friendship/ relationship. The father of the accused and other family members were involved in the illegal liquor business and controlled the area. The accused also knew that the girl’s family was poor and would not be able to oppose his unwanted attention.
Pooja’s family has been suffering from poverty, deprivation and socially for many years. They lost their father at a young age and so at a young age the mother had the responsibility of bringing up three children. The financial condition of the family was very pitiable and so that children could not study much. After Pooja was admitted to the hospital, the family members could not stay with her because of the lockdown. There were also restrictions on them coming and going to the hospital.
The accused was arrested, but released on bail. There are no NGOs in Palitana who work on the Dalit issues or Women’s issues. However, the Dalit Human Rights Defenders Network has been providing support and guidance to the survivor and her family, and appealing to the High Court for cancellation of bail. The trial in the session court is also ongoing.
The survivor has undergone 2 to 3 surgeries and has just started speaking little but she may never walk again because there are serious injuries to the lumbar vertebrae and legs. She has received compensation under the POCSO Act as well as the SC & ST (PoA) Act. . Financial assistance, moral support and social support has been provided to the victim and her family by the community; as well as great support from the community has been extended for her care right from the hospital till she reached home.