The easy availability of acid -- a cheap weapon has expanded the scope of its targets. Elderly women—irrespective of their age and station in life are becoming the targets of acid attacks over flimsy reasons.
The victims-- aged between 40 to above 60-- suffer in silence. Caught in a complex web of upward mobility, sexual suppression, sex ratio imbalance, ignorance, drugs, alcohol and patriarchy—often, the survivors resist seeking help; carrying the burden of family’s izzat.
BSF (Brave Souls Foundation), a Delhi-based voluntary group-- run by a survivor of acid attack-- has been collecting data on survivors through field work to help their rehabilitation. Mumbai- based funding agency Mariwala Health Initiative, has been providing support to carry this work forward.
Loss of identity and low self- esteem; discomfort from heat and loss of vision are the common features of acid attack survivors; which are further compounded for the elderly with slower recovery and other age- related complications. Neglect, due to their financial dependence for prolonged medical care on the family is another reason for loss of hope.
No state has implemented a complete ban on the sale of acid, albeit a few have half-heartedly implemented a few measures suggested by the Supreme Court, in 2013, i.e. requirement for a sale license, registration, and identity verification of the purchaser. “A culprit informed the court; he bought acid online. Easy availability of acid has given rise to gender crimes like acid attacks,” asserts Veena Kumari, Punjab and Haryana High Court lawyer, who provides free legal help to the survivors.
Upward mobility, aspiration
Kirandeep Kaur, in her 40s, of Nathana village, Bathinda, suffered domestic violence, got legally divorced and then started living with another man, Jasveer Singh, who never married her formally. Her three grown- up children from her first marriage live with her. A plumber named Manpreet started talking to her while he was doing some work in their neighbourhood. He gave her a mobile phone to talk to him. Once her husband saw her talking to Manpreet; he did not like it. Thereafter, she stopped taking Manpreet’s calls. On July 15, 2024, he came with a bottle of acid and threw it on her causing severe burns. Kirandeep is illiterate, has no bank account, her Adhar card carries her previous husband’s name and address that makes the volunteer’s efforts to help her more challenging.
Sex ratio imbalance and patriarchal entitlement
Mahinder Kaur of village Ganga, in her 60s was sitting at home with her mother- in- law, when a distant relative named Jaswant Singh came and enquired about her son, who was away. Jaswant had a grudge against her son because at his behest she married a relative of hers to Jaswant’s brother while Jaswant failed to find a bride for himself. He had come with an intent to throw acid on Mahinder’s son, instead he threw it on Mahinder and her old mother- in- law. Mahinder suffered 62 % disability. Apart from other ailments, she lost one eye; she cannot stand near fire nor can drink hot beverages. Her mother- in- law died of age- related complications.
Also read: Punjab govt caught in police-army 'encounter'
Silence for the family honour
Jatinder Kaur in her 60s, undergoes the trauma of living with a disfigured face--partially missing ear and jaw and one blinded eye that drips constantly, apart from several other complications. Yet, for years she had been protecting the izzat of her family by telling the volunteers--all is well.
The fact is, her husband of 40 years calls her Kani (one eyed), the son she had after aborting five female fetuses, wants her out of his house. All the medical bills of her treatment were thrown away—making it hard to get reimbursements. It reflects the depth of neglect and humiliation survivors are forced to put up with. She wants to run away but has no place to go.
In Kapurthala, a landlord ordered acid to be thrown on women tilling the field due to a land dispute. Dalvir Kaur, 40, continues to suffer guilt because the culprit later committed suicide. Sunita Devi, 44, of Ludhiana, did not report the attack for years because it could jeopardize her sister- in -law’s reputation; the acid was meant to deface her by a spurned suitor. Or, the elderly man who poured acid on his wife—mother of his grown-up sons-- while she was sleeping because he suspected her of an affair. She died.
The rot grows as neither society nor the law enforcing agencies handle these cases with the seriousness they deserve.
By Vandana Shukla
Follow us
