INDIA: Indian authorities launch a handgun for women in the memory of the Delhi gang rape victim, but critics slam the concept calling it an "insult" to poor women

Record ID: 376810

  • Title: INDIA: Indian authorities launch a handgun for women in the memory of the Delhi gang rape victim, but critics slam the concept calling it an "insult" to poor women
  • Date: 29th January 2014
  • Summary: IMPHAL, MANIPUR, INDIA (RECENT) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (REUTERS) PEOPLE WALKING ON THE STREETS YOUNG GIRLS WALKING TOGETHER WOMEN WALKING WOMEN TALKING TO EACH OTHER A WOMAN TALKING ON A MOBILE PHONE
  • Embargoed: 13th February 2014 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: India
  • Country: India
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA1P5FI8P8FGYVQNTTZOJIQL1O8
  • Story Text: As Indian authorities launched a handgun for women in the memory of Delhi gang rape victim, critics refused to bite the bullet saying that it is an insult to the victim.
    The vision of Indian government to see women armed for self-defence is blurred by apprehensions of activists and female groups who say that introducing light-weight pistol is not the solution to ensure women safety.
    After a string of violent crimes against women, the authorities launched a light-weight pistol for women.
    General Manager of the Gun Field Factory in Kanpur city of northern Uttar Pradesh province, Abdul Hamid, said that the gun was manufactured by the state-run Indian ordinance factory and was priced at Rs 1,22,360 (USD 2, 000).
    The .32-calibre firearm which weighs only 500 grams will be sold on a first come first serve basis. The factory also plans to start an online booking for the handgun soon making it easily accessible to the women in need.

    "In 2012, the unfortunate incident that happened in Delhi, the victim was called 'Nirbhaya' (fearless). In her memory and taking inspiration from her, people of our factory here suggested names, and we chose 'Nirbheek' (synonym of 'Nirbhaya', meaning fearless). When the women of India will walk on the streets, they will walk without any fear and they will not be scared of anyone," said Hamid.
    However, critics say that the gun will not solve any purpose as the cost of the gun is prohibitive.
    Founder of 'Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network', Bina Laxmi Nepram, said she was shocked by the launch of the hand gun.

    "In a country of about 1.2 billion people where 700 million people live below poverty line. This gun, which costs over 2200 US dollars, is more than the annual income of 700 million Indians. It's an insult to the poor of India, it's an insult to the poor women of India, saying that only the rich can afford to have this gun. In fact the December 2012 gang rape victim, Nirbhaya (one of names given to the victim) herself could not have afforded this gun," she said.
    Nepram criticised the move and said that it only showed that the nation had failed in their responsibility of providing protection to its citizens and security particularly to the vulnerable women.
    An acid attack victim, Sonali Banerjee, questioned the government's motive behind making such a gun.

    "What I think is that there is a need to change the thinking of the society and to come up with some better solutions so that such incidents can be stopped, so that women's security is ensured, there is safety for children also. So, the whole idea of making guns for women doesn't seem a very viable and a good option to me," said Banerjee.
    Women on the streets of Dehli had mixed reactions to the news.
    A resident of Delhi, Sohali, said that using a gun in retaliation or even to protect one's self would increase the crime rate.

    "I want a society where I don't need protection, so I want a society which is more educated, so that we can talk to them, we can be fully free to move anywhere, so that is the reason I would not buy a gun to save myself," she said.
    However, fellow Dehli resident Tanushree said it was up to women to take responsibility for their safety.

    "I think we are to take ownership of our own safety, I don't want to be in a situation where I don't have any means to save myself and then look back at it and think next day, next year or ten years from then and think that I could have made a different choice. So, I think if it's just a question of money or just open mindedness that can I carry an arm with me then yes I will be okay with that," she said.
    On December 16, 2012 five men and a teenager lured the gang rape victim, a trainee physiotherapist, and her male friend onto the bus while they were on their way home after from a shopping mall in south Delhi.
    As the bus drove through the streets of the capital, the men repeatedly raped the girl and penetrated her with a metal bar before dumping her and her friend, naked and semi-conscious, onto the road.
    Her friend later recovered, but the girl's internal injuries were so severe that she died in a Singapore hospital two weeks after the attack.
    The gruesome gang rape and murder of the girl sent shockwaves across the country and drove thousands of urban Indians to protest against rising violence against women and sparked a debate on their safety.
    She became a symbol of the daily dangers women face in a country where a rape is reported on average every 21 minutes and acid attacks and incidents of molestation are common.
    India toughened laws on sex crimes in March last year following the fatal Delhi gang of December 2012. The case led to nationwide protests for better security and sparked national debate about gender inequalities in India.
    Indian girls and women face a plethora of threats. These include sexual and domestic violence, dowry-related deaths, crimes in the name of honour, witch-branding, acid attacks, female foeticide, early marriage and human trafficking.
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