India debates women’s safety amid new stalking case

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A fresh case of sexual harassment involving a son of a politician from India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has sparked a debate over women’s safety and the misuse of political influence in the country.

BJP leaders have come under intense fire for protecting a man accused of stalking a woman.

29-year old Varnika Kundu accused the son of the BJP state chief in Haryana state of pursuing her at night in a car in Chandigarh, the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana states.

She said two men blocked her way and banged on her windows before a police patrol came to her aid.

"Lucky, because I'm not lying raped and murdered in a ditch somewhere," she wrote in a widely shared Facebook post.

Photo from Varnika Kundu's Facebook profile

One of those accused, Vikas Barala, 23, is a son of the BJP's state president Subhash Barala.

He, along with an accomplice, was arrested on charges of stalking and drunk driving and was released hours later, inciting outrage from people on social media that the police did not invoke more stringent provisions.

Wrangling

The incident drew criticism from opposition leaders and women's rights activists, who accused the BJP leaders in Haryana state of pressurizing the police to protect the accused.

Chandigarh police, however, rejected allegations of political pressure.

"The police is looking into the matter from all perspectives and don't want to investigate the matter under any pressure," Indian media quoted police spokesman Eish Sehgal as saying.

The case has so far ignited several controversies because of its hype in the media and involvement of high profile individuals.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not commented on the issue. /AFP Photo

The incident occurred in Chandigarh on August 4, and earlier media reports suggested the CCTV footage along the roads Varnika Kundu was driving had gone missing.

Local media quoted authorities admitting that the cameras installed on the street where the alleged stalking occurred could not be retrieved because the cameras were “non-functional.”

However, police have now said the footage is available, and that it confirms Kundu’s stance.

In the face of apparent pressure, Kundu's father, public servant Virender Kundu, said his family would not back down despite the pressure.

"We will contest in the court if we feel the charges are diluted or inadequately framed," he stated in a Facebook post.

Politics of silence

The case is at the center of a media storm in India, where several controversies have been focused on sexual violence, after a student in the capital New Delhi was gang-raped and murdered on a moving bus in 2012.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also facing criticism for not commenting on the issue. Actress Saumya Tandon questioned the PM over his silence.

“Dear @narendramodi is politics bigger than humanity? Our country's daughter needs justice, pls speak up #ChandigarhStalking,” she tweeted.

In the past, some have faced a backlash for dragging the PM into such controversies.

The mother of Indian gang-rape victim 'Nirbhaya' (C) is shielded by demonstrators as police officials prepare to detain her as she attends a rally in New Delhi on December 20, 2015, held to protest the release of a juvenile rapist. /AFP Photo

Infamous records

Subhash Barala, from Haryana state, which has been infamous for its skewed sex ratio and crimes against women, is facing calls for resignation. His party, however, said he would not relinquish his post, adding that the case has nothing to do with him.

Journalist Amal Dutta Chowdhury from the northern Indian city of Lucknow told CGTN that Barala would not resign, as it would be damaging to the party’s image and its ambitious campaign in the state to educate girls.

The BJP state government in Haryana has launched a girls' education program with the slogan of Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao (Save girl child, educate girl child).

It projects itself as a political party, which safeguards women’s interests, and if Subhash Barala’s son was found guilty of sexual harassment, it would be an embarrassing blow to the party, Chowdhury added.

The issue of women’s safety is brought up with shameful regularity, said an editorial in ‘The Hindu’ newspaper on Tuesday.

As crimes against women go, stalking is far too often dismissed as harmless, it added.

Women's freedom

Subhash Barala’s deputy Ramveer Bhatti has stirred another controversy after questioning why the victim was "roaming around at night."

His statement angered many, even leaders from his party.

Instead of questioning the girl as to why she was out at 1230 am, said BJP parliamentarian Anurag Thakur, the individuals and their mindset that leads to such harassment should be challenged.

He condemned the incident in series of tweets, but praised the police for “swift action.”

Kirron Kher, another BJP parliamentarian, condemned Mr. Bhatti's comments, saying the police will act, and that there is no watering down of the case.

Screenshot from Twitter

Many joined the debate on social media under the hashtags #ChandigarhStalking, #AintNoCinderella, #ItsMyLife, and #GirlsNightOut.

According to Indian government figures, cases of kidnapping and abduction of women have increased from 35,565 in 2011 to 59,277 in 2015.

Hundreds of stalking cases were also reported across the country in the same year.