Last week however a story broke which illustrates just how far India still needs to come with regards to basic human rights. When a man from a rival tribe attempted to get permission to propose from his girl friend's family, the village elders took great offense claiming that a Muslim man should not marry a Adivasi woman. They were so offended in fact they ordered both the hopeful groom and his perspective bride to pay a large fine. The man was able to pay the fine, however the woman's family was poor and unable to do so.
Because of her inability to pay, she was sentenced to rape. She was taken to the village square and publicly beaten and raped by 13 of the village council members. Indian authorities have ordered the arrest of all those involved, however the issue is larger than this one event. Throughout India, local village councils still exert massive influence and it is going to take a committed, concerted effort from Indian national authorities to put a stop to this horrific type of punitive action and systematic violation of human rights.
Thoughts?