MPs Back Acid Attack Survivors, Call for Stronger Laws and Support
New
Delhi
[India], April 3 (ANI): A team of
Members of Parliament
Members of Parliament gathered for an event hosted by the Brave Souls Foundation at the
Constitution Club of India
, where they expressed their backing for
acid attack
According to a press release, survivors and dedicated individuals are advocating for enhanced legal and financial safeguards.
The attending Members of Parliament were Pramod Tiwari and Rajiv Shukla.
Jaya Bachchan
Tiruchi Siva, Abdul Wahab, Imran Pratapgarhi, Anil Yadav Mandadi, Ashok Mittal, John Brittas, and Ayodhya Rami Reddy were among those who recounted their hardships and called for urgent measures regarding critical concerns like justice, prompt compensation, job opportunities, and resettlement.
The survivors highlighted that even with Supreme Court instructions, acid continues to be readily accessible in stores, assaults persist without letup, and government support payments frequently arrive late or prove inadequate. Numerous victims struggle to find jobs, and legal gaps enable attackers to avoid serious consequences.
The Members of Parliament told the survivors that they would bring up their worries during parliamentary discussions and promised to address these issues with both the Home Minister and the Law Minister at the next monsoon session. Additionally, they backed the call for swift implementation of the Prevention of Acid Attacks and Justice for Victims and Survivors Bill, 2024, which encompasses measures like controlling acid distribution, providing free healthcare services, and establishing special fast-track tribunals.
acid attack
cases.
Multiple Members of Parliament also contributed personally to back the initiative.
Jaya Bachchan
declared a contribution of Rs 50 lakh to the Brave Souls Foundation, whereas AAP Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal promised free education for survivors at his institute alongside a monetary help of Rs 5 lakh. Various MPs committed parts of their earnings or donations varying between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 25 lakh. Moreover, non-government organizations attending the gathering affirmed ongoing backing for survivors via legal support and healthcare services.
The Members of Parliament asked the Brave Souls Foundation to provide an official document detailing these requests, promising to deliver it to the government for prompt implementation. This occasion represented a crucial advancement in the quest for justice, as lawmakers, advocates, and members of civil society came together to call for overdue changes.
Members of Parliament and activists jointly presented various demands to the government.
Swift Implementation of the Anti-Acid Attack Act, 2024 – It is essential to enact thorough legislation aimed at controlling acid distribution, enhancing support systems for those affected, and guaranteeing victims obtain fair treatment.
Members of Parliament called for an outright prohibition on the sale of acid at retail outlets. They proposed categorizing acid as a controlled substance and establishing a rigorous licensing framework, along with severe consequences for unauthorized sales.
Comprehensive and Cost-Free Healthcare for Survivors – Every hospital, whether public or private, is required to offer complete medical attention, encompassing reconstruction procedures, at no expense to those who have survived. Harsh consequences ought to be imposed upon facilities refusing to treat them.
A dedicated officer must be assigned in each district to guarantee adherence to survivors’ rights and to promptly address instances where hospitals deny care.
The government should set up dedicated burn rehabilitation centers across India to offer extended support to victims.
Unrestricted Lifetime Travel for Healthcare – Survivors frequently need numerous operations spread out over various regions, and they ought to receive complimentary transportation for medical treatment.
Creation and Growth of Secure Residences for Victims – It is essential for the government to designate plots, structures, and monetary support to establish secure residences offering comprehensive recovery programs.
Special courts ought to be set up to guarantee that
acid attack
Cases are addressed promptly, ensuring offenders do not escape accountability.
Enhanced Payouts for Beneficiaries – Presently, beneficiaries receive Rs 3-7 lakh which falls short. This amount ought to be raised to a minimum of Rs 50 lakh, with greater sums designated for those able to demonstrate extra monetary damages.
A comprehensive pension program for dependents—akin to schemes found in regions like Punjab and Haryana—should be established to ensure long-term monetary support for surviving family members. This plan should also include supplementary benefits designed to address ongoing healthcare and mental health requirements.
Acknowledgment of Acid Attack Survivors as Individuals with Disabilities – These survivors endure significant physical and emotional harm and ought to be officially classified as individuals with disabilities under the law.
disabilities
.
Facial Disfigurements Should Be Recognized as Disabilities – Individuals with such scarring deserve comprehensive affirmative action privileges within the disability provisions.
Reservations for Education and Employment – Similar to the SC/ST/OBC classifications, survivors deserve reserved spots in educational institutions and job sectors to facilitate their integration into society.
Allocation of government land for survivor-operated cafés, canteens, and kiosks — Land owned by the government should be provided to survivors so they can manage food stalls, eateries, and dining areas in public spaces, fostering their financial self-sufficiency.
The government ought to finance complete scholarships for survivors so they can further their education at home and overseas in India and beyond.
Creation of a Dedicated Parliamentary Subcommittee – There should be established an exclusive subcommittee tasked with examining current policies, proposing legislative changes, and monitoring the execution of actions aimed at combating
acid attack
s.
Urgent Publication of NCRB Statistics on Acid Attacks – The National Crime Records Bureau should promptly publish current and precise information regarding acid attacks.
acid attack
So as to guarantee openness and well-informed policy creation.
Notably, AAP Rajya Sabha
Sanjay Singh
On March 19, brought up the matter regarding
acid attack
Survivors in the Rajya Sabha are calling for the creation of specialized fast-track courts to guarantee prompt justice. “Every day these survivors face indescribable pain, but they still have to wait over two decades for justice. It is imperative that the government establishes dedicated quick-response tribunals to hasten their cases and impose stringent penalties on those responsible,” he stated.
Sanjay Singh
It was also mentioned that the administration ought to offer complimentary healthcare services to those who survived and enhance the compensation to Rs 50 lakh, as the present amount of Rs 5 lakh is woefully insufficient.
Emphasizing the challenges faced by survivors,
Sanjay Singh
highlighted the story of Shaheen Malik, who has been striving for justice over the past 16 years after she lost her face and one eye
acid attack
He additionally mentioned two young girls from Siwan, who were assaulted when they were 14 but achieved justice only after two decades.
These young girls rise each morning, gaze into the mirror, and are constantly reminded of their trauma. Making them endure such pain for decades until they see justice is unacceptable. The government needs to act without delay,
Sanjay Singh
said. (ANI)
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).