Chandigarh: Missing Minor Found Dead In Semi-Nude Condition. Where Is India Heading?

Chandigarh Missing Girl Case: The body of a 6-year-old who went missing earlier this week was recovered Saturday from the Hallo Majra forests on the outskirts of the city.

As per police, the minor's dead body was semi-nude when found. They say she may have been stoned to death and a case of murder and rape has been registered against unknown persons, Times of India reports.

The victim was the eldest of three siblings. Her parents had reportedly registered a missing complaint on Friday, a day prior to her discovery. Police suspect her body may have been dumped in the forests in a semi-nude condition after the alleged assault.

Chandigarh Missing Girl Case Should Shock Our Conscience

Crimes against minors have been on the rise in our country, despite rallying cries of empowering the girl child and schemes introduced for women's safety. The Chandigarh missing girl case, though not the first of its kind by a long shot, unfortunately, should anger us into questioning what the future looks like for young girls in India.

Will ensuring education for girls be enough without measures to protect their lives? How many more such cases must we be witness to before solid action is taken to deter gender-based crimes? Will we ever be a safe country for girls? Is justice just a hollow word in India?

The problem is also systemic since it directly relates to a flawed thought process this country has harboured towards sexual assault survivors and victims. Rape is not the accused's shame. It is a social burden the survivor or victim's family has to carry. Change needs to come, and come soon.

Views expressed are the author's own.