CHENNAI: “I am ashamed to live in this era where discrimination based on gender and caste continues. All of us should be ashamed. We all are co-accused in such crimes,” Justice P Velmurugan of Madras High Court said on Thursday.
The judge made the observation while wondering why the Anna University rape case is being politicised instead of authorities concentrating on improving women’s safety. The case, instead of serving as a wake-up call, is being politicised, Justice P Velmurugan said.
The court made the observation while rejecting a plea moved by PMK advocate K Balu seeking permission to organise a protest condemning the incident. “Protests by political parties were aimed at attracting media attention and not done out of genuine concern,” the judge said.
On media coverage of the issue, the court said they have not acted responsibly. A media trial was being conducted on news television channels ever since the incident came to light. The court is not of the opinion that the media should not report on the issue but definitely not in the way in which they are doing, he added.
As to the contention of the petitioner that the protest was aimed at protecting women, the judge said, “The use of the word protection itself is wrong. It only signifies that we have not given equal rights to our mothers, sisters, and daughters. This mindset should change.”
The court asserted that it knows how to deal with the issue if there is no proper investigation conducted in the case.
