The Supreme Court of India has taken suo motu cognizance of a viral video showing a disturbing incident of sexual assault in Manipur. Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud expressed deep concern over the visuals, terming them a "gross violation of human rights" and "simply unacceptable" in a constitutional democracy. The court has summoned the Attorney General and Solicitor General, the top law officers of the government, to address the issue promptly.
The incident depicted in the video has sparked outrage and concern across the nation. It shows a woman being paraded naked and sexually assaulted in strife-ridden Manipur. The court, in its strong response, emphasized the need for immediate action against the perpetrators responsible for such heinous acts. CJI Chandrachud conveyed that the court will intervene if the government fails to take swift action to bring the culprits to justice.
The court had always maintained that its intervention in the Manipur violence would be focused on humanitarian issues. However, the severity of the incident captured in the video compelled the court to take a stand against such gross violations of human rights.
Both the Centre and the Manipur government have been directed to provide updates on the actions taken to address the situation by July 28. The court expects a comprehensive plan to hold the perpetrators accountable and prevent similar incidents from recurring in the strife-torn region.
The incident in Manipur has drawn condemnation from various quarters, including industry experts and the National Commission for Women (NCW). Experts commend the Supreme Court's proactive response and demand strict punishment for those involved in the assault. The NCW chief, Rekha Sharma, expressed the commission's commitment to ensuring justice for the victims and instructed action against anyone involved in circulating the video on social media.
In response to the incident, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi broke his silence over the deadly ethnic clashes in Manipur, assuring that the guilty will not be spared. He condemned the incident as a shameful act that fetched shame to the nation. PM Modi emphasized the importance of prioritizing the safety and honor of women above all politics.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Amit Shah took prompt action, speaking with Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh to enquire about the horrific incident. He directed the police to take strict action against the culprits involved in the assault.
The tension in Manipur's hills escalated after the video of May 4 surfaced, showing two women being paraded naked by men from another community. The survivors narrated harrowing experiences of facing threats and violence during the assault. While one of the women luckily escaped the rape attempt, the incident remains a stark reminder of the need for stringent measures to protect women and uphold their dignity.
The Supreme Court's suo motu cognizance of the incident marks a significant step in addressing gender-based violence and human rights violations in the country. The court's stern warning to the government sends a clear message that such acts will not be tolerated in a constitutional democracy.
As the nation awaits the actions taken by the government, there is hope that justice will be served, and stringent measures will be put in place to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. The incident has brought the spotlight on the urgent need to create a safer environment for women and uphold their rights in all circumstances.
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