A woman was brutally assaulted by a group of men in the Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh. The attack was caught on video and subsequently went viral. The video, which has sparked widespread outrage, shows the woman, dressed in a saree, being mercilessly beaten with sticks while three men restrain her by holding her hands tightly.
The most alarming part of this incident is the reaction of the bystanders. Instead of stepping in to help the woman, several onlookers were seen filming the attack. This reflects a disturbing trend in the age of social media, where capturing sensational footage often takes priority over offering assistance. Near the scene of the assault, the slogan 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' (Save the Daughter, Educate the Daughter) is ironically visible on the wall of a building, starkly contrasting the brutality taking place nearby.
Official Statement and Legal Proceedings
The incident occurred on June 20, when a woman allegedly eloped with a man, according to police sources as reported by News18. The local authorities acted quickly after the video caught the attention of Dhar Superintendent of Police (SP) Manoj Singh. SP Singh immediately instructed the Tanda police station to apprehend the culprits without delay, involving multiple police teams. This resulted in the arrest of seven individuals from various villages. SP Manoj Singh confirmed the arrests, saying, "All seven persons, who have been accused in the FIR filed by the victim, have been arrested. They have been charged under Section 307 of the IPC and other relevant sections. We assure you that the accused will be punished according to the law."
This tragic incident has also raised concerns over the safety of women in the Bhartiya Janata Party-led state. In a post on X on Saturday morning, Jitu Patwari, the State Congress chief said, "This incident in Dhar district has once again raised serious questions on the safety of women under the BJP government. Madhya Pradesh ranks first in atrocities against women.''
He tagged Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on this post and asked why women are subject to such a state in Madhya Pradesh.
"Why is your government repeatedly failing to stop crimes against women?"