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Why can’t Karnataka save its children from sexual assault?

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Rajeev Chandrasekhar
Rajeev ChandrasekharAug 06, 2015 | 19:40

Why can’t Karnataka save its children from sexual assault?

Dear Shri Siddaramaiah,

I write to you to draw your attention to the continuing lack of decisive action by your government in the repeated instances of child sexual abuse in our city.

As you are no doubt aware, another child - this time a three-year-old was sexually assaulted in a private school in Indiranagar, Bengaluru, on August 3, 2015. As you will be aware, the alleged perpetrator was a security guard of the school who was subsequently arrested under the POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act. This incident follows from a slew of similar incidents of sexual assault against children in schools in Bengaluru over the last one year, and is an unfortunate testimony to the continuing insensitivity, indifference and negligence of your government, which is responsible for the safety of every child and citizen in the state of Karnataka.

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Success and failure of governments are measured and critiqued in many ways. But when a government repeatedly fails in its obligations to protecting its most vulnerable - that is the children, then the government can be said to be a failure and disappointment to those they serve.

This recent sexual assault on a three-year-old is the consequence and result of a government that did not take the actions required of it last year when other children were also subjected to these crimes. At that time, amidst the outcry and outrage, the governement was aware of the steps it had to take to make city schools safer for our children. Mandatory verification, periodic audits, fast track prosecution, better policing and so on were all suggestions made by NGOs, parents and myself.

I had urged you and your government through both letters and public statements about the need for specific action. I had written a letter to the minister of home affairs in February 20, 2014 when a similar crime was committed and had specifically urged to take immediate and stringent measures to ensure such crimes are prevented in future. But today it is clear that except for an announcement of the Child Sex Offenders registry, very little determined action has been taken by this government. I urge you to wake up to the seriousness of this issue - it's the most shameful indictment of your government’s apathy and callousness.

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Continued apathy will not be overlooked or forgivable because child sexual abuse is a form of terrorism perpetrated against children and it is abominable that such incidents continue to transpire in Bengaluru. If the government had acted strictly on my suggestions of ensuring schools follow a rigorous verification process and ensured implementation of guidelines in all schools in the city, this crime would have been prevented.

The government and specifically the police department has to adopt a zero tolerance approach to paedophiles and crimes against children. It is the moral responsibility of the government, and as its head also your duty, to enforce stringent guidelines to prevent such heinous incidents from occurring again. You and your government are responsible for the safety of our children in Bengaluru and in Karnataka, and I emphasise that people of this city and state will hold you to account if the government doesn't take all necessary steps now to ensure the safety of the children of our state, rich and poor and irrespective of their caste and creed. And if you fail again, every child in Bengaluru and Karnataka will see you and your government responsible and culpable for the crimes.

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Please wake up at least now! Let there be no more such crimes. Please take the steps suggested and make the city safe for all children.

Yours sincerely,

Rajeev Chandrasekhar

Last updated: August 06, 2015 | 19:47
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