The Goa Court framed charges of rape and wrongful confinement against Tarun
Tejpal, the founder of Tehelka magazine, in connection with an alleged rape
case filed against him in 2013. He faces a minimum 10-year jail term, if he is
found guilty of rape. The former Tehelka editor is alleged to have sexually
assaulted a former colleague inside the elevator of a five-star hotel in 2013.
Dr Meenacshi Martins is a member of the
North Goa District Committee for prevention of sexual harassment at the work
place and she herself had a very horrific experience to share. “On July 30,
2017, I was assaulted and abused at my workplace. I dialled 100 and when I
received no response I went to the police station only to learn that the
accused has filed a false complain against me. I was bleeding from my eye, and
I was shocked to know that I could not file a complaint. I approached the
Superintendent of Police and finally got the FIR lodged, and a now a
charge-sheet has been filed. If I have been through this experience, and don’t
get justice, how can I empower other women to stand up for their rights,” asks
Dr Meenacshi, who was assaulted at her workplace in Porvorim at 3pm.
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“Tejpal or no Tejpal, it doesn’t matter,
because women can’t be empowered when there is still rape and sexual assault
taking place without anything deterring the accused. It is not sufficient to
come out and complain, if there is no back up and protection for the victims.
How will they complain about the accused when they are let out on bail and
roaming freely, while the victim lives their life in fear? There has to be a
quicker redressal in place, which can give its judgement within 30 days with
stricter punishment, which will act as a deterrent to future abusers. Tarun
Tejpal’s case itself has been going on for four years. If a minor is raped and
she re-establishes her own life and gets married, how will she face her new
family when the police come to her door asking her to attend the court hearing
of her rape case which took place years ago? Justice has to be served quickly
in this country,” explains Dr Meenacshi.
Alisha D’Cunha is a lecturer and teacher-trainer at the Nirmala
Institute, Altinho and she works very closely with her students who share their
experiences open heartedly with her. “We live in a taboo society as India is
full of stigmatised concepts. My students at times do share their good and bad
experiences. The problem is that women don’t choose to help themselves in the
first place. A strong woman in India is considered to be a bad woman. In spite
of knowing that they are being played, used and abused, they choose to stay mum
about it all. Realisation and the decision to do something itself is a distant
dream for women in India.”
It all comes down to the failure of the system. “It’s not that
women do not report; they do report, but how much help is received? There is a
bit of a chance factor. At times, established women’s cells choose not to help
women, and instead succumb to pressure. In fact, NGOS are of some help,” says
Alisha.
Dr Millisha Silveira E Rebello, a homeopathic doctor from Margao
shares her view, “Most women in our country will think twice before voicing out
about sexual abuse, because being put through legal and emotional grinding in
our country doesn’t guarantee justice. Most of them fear being dismissed,
socially shamed and mocked. The feeling of shame and disgust is so intense,
that most don’t even talk about what happened.”
She
further adds, “Also, there is the question of the time taken to deliver
justice. Take, for instance, this case of Tarun Tejpal. It has been dragged for
four years now. It’s like taking the dark path of a justice system with no
promise of justice in the end. It is our legal system and the police in which
we have absolutely no faith! No matter how much we encourage women to come out
and speak up about sexual assault, if our legal system doesn’t deliver quick
justice, we will always remain crippled with fear and embarrassment.”
