The ordeal of a lady police sub-inspector, who was herself assaulted, should serve as a warning to all that crimes against women have gone from salacious to sensational to posing a threat to society. The lady ASI was on her way to work when she was allegedly kidnapped and assaulted. The wronged ASI’s colleagues and superiors are taking credit for arresting the accused and recovering the car he used, but that is the very least they could do, after such a flagrant violation of the law. There have been previous incidents of violence against women in Muzaffargarh, where this incident took place, but there have been a rash of incidents in the country’s metropoles, such as the vicious murder of Noor Mukaddam in Islamabad and the mob assault of a Tiktokker on Independence Day in Lahore, that show there is a national crisis of violence against women.
The interventions of Prime Minister Imran Khan have not been helpful, whether it be that women wear skimpy clothing, or that perpetrators spend too much time on their mobile phones. With the country’s chief executive spouting excuses for the criminals, and indulging in the sort of victim-blaming that reflects a patriarchal mindset, one which tries to blame the victim for the crime, not the criminal. This fails to recognise that rape is not the result of frustration as the desire to exhibit power over a woman. Assaulting a police officer is about as nearly the acme of power as a criminal can get.
While this crime must be investigated, and the criminal brought to justice, just as much as any criminal should, it must be recognised that crimes against the police are more heinous than normal. There is a more basic task, though: making society more fit for women to function in. That involves educating men to behave better, and women to be more aware of their legal rights and protections. Of course, for that, both would have to go to school, receive an education, and become more aware persons and better citizens. Bu brother goes to school… And thereby hangs yet another tale…
