Despair, Dilemma, Silence: The Acquittal of Bilkis Bano Case Convicts
Lately, this Monday, 11 of the Bilkis Bano case convicts walked out of Godhra jail after the Gujarat government approved their application under its remission policy. It was the legal and political struggles of Muslim women across ages get mocked by this institutional decision which effectively unleashed violence after violence. Bilkis, among many others, was brutally assaulted and gang-raped during the detestable Gujarat riots of 2002 and left naked. Fourteen of her family members were killed, including her three-year-old child, whose head was smashed onto the ground. This premature acquittal from life imprisonment is tantamount to the fact that the attackers on a Muslim body will be protected and granted impunity. While every claim to empowering women goes in vain, the impunity enjoyed by the perpetrators of Genocidal violence becomes the stark reality of today’s India. In what follows, The New Comrade attempts to capture twitter responses on the acquittal of Bilkis Bano case convicts from different quarters of India (and outside) in one go.
Country’s only woman CM couldn’t utter word on the Bilkis Bano Case. Priyanka Gandhi says ‘Ladki Sakti Hoon’. But no comment on the development. Flag bearers of feminism and equality, Priyanka Chaturvedi, Mahua Moitra, Supriya Sule and other also keep quiet.
Himadri (Read the tweet here)
Has Smriti Irani issued a statement regarding the Bilkis Bano case? She is not only the minister of women and child development but also in charge of minority affairs. Hope she rises above petty politics and takes a firm stand in this case
Wilfred Quadros
This is why capital punishment is necessary and should even be mandatory. It is shameful that convicted gang-rapists and child murderers walk free, what’s more disgusting is they are being welcomed with sweets and aarti
Kasturi Sankar
Did I miss the TV debates on the release of 11 convicted rapists or have news channels chosen deliberate silence? I hope the women prime time anchors show some spine and speak up for gender justice. It will be a shame if they stat silent just like the WCD minister
Priyanka chaturvedi
Taking your questions here on the Bilkis Bano Case and the assault on women by the Modi government. Eleven men accused of gang rape of Bilkis Bano where released by the BJP government in Gujarat, fed sweets on release. Our silence is aiding this injustice
Rana Ayyub
Garlanded and crowned for raping a five-month pregnant woman, smashing her three year old child to death, and murdering seven of her family members. Great moral values are shown by Gujaratis. Wow!!
Bhavika kapoor
Hey all rapists across world, If you would have raped Muslim and murdered their families come India, won’t get such a safest place for the rapists! You will get remission and eventually will be facilitated by rape lovers!
rezina sultana
Why have several oppositions parties in India, who claim to be secular, not spoken out against releasing 11 rapists and murders in the Bilkis Bano case? You can’t call yourself secular and at the same time fear hurting majoritarian sentiments
Ashok Swain
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