Equality: of status and of opportunity, and to promote among them all. Fraternity: assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation.
The above mentioned words have reference to the spate of rapes of minors, teenagers, women and elderly women which have taken place in Goa and across India. Some rapes have taken place using force, some at gun point and some have been murdered brutally after the rape. The victims of rape are deprived of all the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution of India and undergo mental trauma mental resulting in depression.
The Constitution of India has endowed each and every citizen with fundamental rights which are a boon to the society, The Constitution of India also expects certain fundamental duties from each and every citizen of India. To name a few 1. Abide by the Constitution of India and respect the National Flag and National Anthem. 2. To cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom. 3. To promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India. 4. To uphold and protect the sovereign unity and integrity of India. Whilst the first three fundamental duties are for general public the fourth one is for the Judiciary and for all Constitutional Authorities and for each and every legislator across our vast country.
In States where rapes have taken place, the High Courts should act by taking a suo motto cognizance and should conduct investigations or advise the state government to act though with the rapists. The Constitutional authorities in the states the governors and chief ministers respectively have a important role to play in safeguarding the lives of people. Whereas the governor at the time of taking oath of office uses the words “I will devote myself to the service and well being of the people (name of the State)” the chief minister uses the words “I will do right to all manner of people in accordance with the Constitution and the law without fear or favour, affection or ill will”.
We are living in a civilized and a progressive society. Rapes are serious encroachments on fundamental rights, further those victims who are raped and brutally ,murdered are cases of encroachments of fundamental rights and grave criminal offences. Taking into consideration the value and dignity of human lives and respecting the sanctity of human bodies, it is time for all the Constitutional authorities, MPs, legislators, women cells and NGOs, to raise their voice against these rapes and push for Constitutional Amendment for stringent laws against the rapists as prevalent in western countries and the Arab world.
