In a significant remark that echoes the urgent need for gender sensitization, the Bombay High Court emphasized the necessity of educating boys about gender equality from a young age. This statement came during a hearing on Tuesday regarding the distressing sexual assault of two young girls in Badlapur.
Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Prithviraj Chavan of the division bench were presiding over a suo motu plea concerning the incident. They expressed their concerns about the prevailing male dominance and chauvinism in society. “Male dominance and male chauvinism are still prevalent. It is essential to teach our boys what is right and wrong from a very young age,” Justice Dere stated.
The justices proposed the establishment of a committee dedicated to creating a framework for gender sensitization within school curriculums, starting from the pre-primary level. This committee is expected to consist of a retired judge, a retired principal, a retired police officer, a woman IPS officer, and a member of the Child Welfare Committee. They will study the issue and recommend necessary rules and guidelines for schools.
The incident that brought this issue to the forefront involved an attendant at a school in Badlapur who allegedly sexually abused two four-year-old girls. The initial handling of the case by the Badlapur police was criticized by the court for its lack of sensitivity, noting that the police failed to record statements at the victim’s residence, showing a ‘serious lapse’ in the investigation.
Maharashtra’s Advocate General, Birendra Saraf, acknowledged these lapses and informed the court that three officers from the Badlapur station had been suspended. The court also expressed concern about the procedures followed by the school, questioning why the girls were sent to the washroom with a male attendant without a proper background check on him. Saraf revealed that the accused had been hired due to his parents’ employment at the same school and that no background checks had been conducted.
The High Court further suggested the formation of a special cell within the Forensic Science Laboratory to expedite the processing of sexual assault and rape cases. The bench also called for a woman prosecutor to assist the special public prosecutor assigned to this case.
