Time Stands Still In 2012, And It Is Getting Worse, Says Nirbhaya’s Mother

In an unprecedented fight for justice after the brutal rape of Nirbhaya, one woman always remained in the forefront: Asha Singh, the mother of that brave girl who lost her life after a prolonged ordeal. A decade has passed by since that night on December 16, 2012, and the world has moved on. But her mother has relentlessly continued her fight for justice for any rape victim girl or woman who faces harassment. Along with her husband Badrinarayan Singh, she has made it a mission of their lives to provide all possible help to every victim through the Nirbhaya Jyoti Trust. But, she feels a void in their lives. In an interview with Harimohan Mishra, she talks about her sorrows, the system and her mission. Edited excerpts:

Ten years have passed by since that horrific incident. You have been very active in the last decade ...

My activism is only for the harassed women or rape victims. If we come to know about any incident, whether it comes in the media or not, we try to raise our voice. We believe that we could not do anything about whatever happened to us. But if by raising our voice we can help someone get justice, then there is some satisfaction.

This is very important. When the voice is not raised then only such incidents spread in society.

You are seeing the kind of incidents taking place today. But our system does not move. Look at what happened in the Chhawla case? About eight months before our incident, another incident had taken place in Chhawla. We know that case very well. We met the victim’s parents as well, visited them everywhere, and also went to the demonstrations. Here in Dwarka, we take out a candle march for one hour every night from 7 to 8 pm. Her father also joins. We oppose the recent decision of the Supreme Court. We do not oppose the Supreme Court, but we do oppose the decision that has come from the apex court.

Please tell us in detail.

In the Chhawla case, on November 7, 2022, the Supreme Court (a bench headed by the then Chief Justice U.U. Lalit) acquitted the three criminals who had been sentenced to death earlier by the trial court and the high court. That incident took place ten years ago in 2012, about eight months before our case. We take out a candle march to protest against the decision. We tell people that the decision should be reversed. The government should get it reviewed. If the police did not investigate properly or the court did not see it properly, then why should the parents, who waited for ten years for justice, suffer the punishment? If the investigation was not done properly, then it should be investigated again. If the accused are guilty, they should be punished. If they are not the culprits, then who killed that girl? If her body was found after two days, her post-mortem was done, then who was responsible for bringing her to such a condition? It has to be somebody. That's why it has become an important part, an aim of our life, that we should do something for the girls.

Are you associated with any particular organisation?

No, I do it all by myself. We formed the Nirbhaya Jyoti Trust in 2013, after my daughter died. Many boys and girls are connected to it. We are not associated with any other organisation.

Did you get any help under the Nirbhaya fund or from the government?

No. We have nothing to do with that.

What do you think of the Bilkis Bano case?

We raised our voices in the case of Bilkis Bano. On behalf of our trust, children and many other organisations started a signature campaign that it was not right. We are also raising our voice over the Chhawla case verdict. It is not the case of any one family, is it? Today, the culprits of Bilkis Bano have gone scot-free. Tomorrow if they let off somebody else, who will then be punished and how will the crime stop in society?

What do you have to say about the attitude of the governments?

Irrespective of whose government it is, there is no sensitivity as far as women’s issues are concerned. Same is the condition with the courts. You should not look at who runs the police, the government, the courts. Whenever an incident takes place, the case is closed by citing the police, the culprits are released. So, why don't you punish the police? It means you can save yourself through the police, because there is no punishment for the police.

Sometimes it seems that even the police or the system becomes a partner in crime. Take the Hathras incident, for instance.

The body of that girl was burnt in the darkness of the night. What a disgusting thing they did. They committed a sin. The police are made to act like puppets, and the culprits are spared. Even the courts do not have to work hard, it writes that the police did not investigate promptly, that's why there is no evidence. If there is no proof, then punish the police, remove the erring policemen from the job or get the police trained, get their counseling done.

In the country, sometimes we feel that there is no hope left. We have put the cases of Bihar and Delhi in the Supreme Court on the assurance of the court that people will get justice. But this (Chhawla case) decision has shaken everyone. The accused who had been sentenced to death by the lower court, and also by the High Court, was acquitted on the ground that the police did not collect enough evidence.

How many applications have been filed in the Supreme Court on your behalf now?

There are many but the main one is about an incident in Purnia, Bihar. In that case, a girl was raped after being taken to the field. She was stabbed several times and bamboo was thrust into her throat to kill her. Three criminals were sentenced to death by the lower court, but the High Court released them. Her brother came to me. His application has been filed in the Supreme Court. We do whatever we can to help them. I will not lie, it is not a matter of a day, nor can you ask someone to get it done for free because cases go on for years. It is up to the lawyer how much they expect. There are two-three such cases of murder and rape in in Delhi as well.

You must be spending a lot of time on all this...

Too much. Sometimes we have to explain over the phone for hours. Counselling has to be done as well. But my family and I have made it the aim and purpose of our lives.

You have sons too. Are they still studying or working?

Now, he does a job, but there is a void in our lives at home. We can't talk to each other for long.

After the Nirbhaya incident, did you get help from the previous government?

Yes, we got help for our son's education. The attitude of the previous government was somewhat sensitive. Then the atmosphere was also different. So many people stood up. There were big demonstrations. We were not alone. No one could share our grief but there was hope that there would be some justice, something would change in the future. The criminals could be punished because of that. Fast track courts were set up, new laws were made. But things only got worse after that. Back then, it seemed that there would be some hearing. Now it seems that there is no hearing at all. It seems that we are standing still in 2012.

Did you get any help from any political party or any leader?

No, we are not related to any party, nor do we seek help from any party. The attitude of every party, every leader is the same. Everyone speaks, but when it comes to doing, then everyone looks more or less the same. Leaders and parties have to change the system, but it seems that their selfishness is making the system more oppressive.

Do you think that the condition of the country is getting worse because of politics?

Absolutely, see the recent cases. In all the incidents like Bilkis Bano, Hathras, Unnao, Purnia in Bihar, the failures of politics or the system are exposed. Everything seems to be politically motivated. Society is being brought down for small gains.

Do you have any special thing or moment from the past that you remember again and again?

My child has gone away. What to remember or say! We are alive with her memory and in the hope of helping even a single girl child get justice. More than me, it is his father (who suffers). He remains quiet.

What kind of change do you want in society?

Girls and women should be considered as humans. Boys and men must understand their existence. Men should show masculinity in the protection of mothers and sisters or every woman. Education of boys and girls is necessary. But people with less income cannot even educate their children.