MOLESTED FAITH:  Fighting An Uphill Battle – The Monk and the Survivor

A 36-year-old woman from Darjeeling was molested, she chose to fight back in the hopes of inspiring other women, who may be suffering in silence.

Molestation refers to the unwelcome and inappropriate sexual behaviour or advances made towards an individual, often involving force and coercion. It is a deeply traumatic experience with long-lasting emotional, psychological, and physical effect on the victim. Molestation violates a person’s dignity, personal space, and it is a serious crime that demands strict legal actions and a strong support system for survivors. Fighting against molestation entails a collective effort to raise awareness, educate about consent, and promote a culture of respect and safety for all individuals. It is very crucial to speak about molestation, support those affected, and ensure that anyone that is responsible for it faces the consequences. 

Molestation remains one of the most pervasive and underreported forms of gender-based violence, often leaving the survivors with deep emotional scar and alienating them from society.

This article shares a disheartening incident involving a 36-year-old woman from Darjeeling, who was molested. She courageously shared her traumatic experience, in the hopes of inspiring other women, who may be suffering in silence, and encourage them to stand up for themselves. Her goal is that more victims will find the strength to voice their sufferings, rather than suppress it, in order to raise awareness about molestation and protect others, especially children, from such vicious acts.

On 2nd August 2024, the victim visited a sacred place, where a religious head – a monk, would usually treat patients. She had visited this place a few times before, seeking spiritual solace. However, on that day something very unexpected and deeply traumatic happened. The religious head, while alone with the victim, on the pretext of curing her, molested her. He started touching her inappropriately, by groping her breasts, then pinned her against the floor and whispered some obscene things into her ear. Her modesty was insulted by way of obscene acts, words and gesture. The assault left her terrified and struggling to free herself from his grip. Despite the overwhelming fear and shock, the victim somehow managed to break free from his hold.

In the days following the incident, the victim mustered the courage to confide in her brother, seeking his help and guidance. Her brother stood resolute in her support and she got the courage, to file a formal complaint against it.

However, even after several days of filing the report, the offender was allowed to remain free, and unapprehended. The monk had escaped, and was gone missing. It was after a long gap, that very recently, he was finally arrested by the police.

The gap marked a significant turning points for the victim, as the long wait for justice added to her emotional turmoil.

The aftermath of the incident left the victim emotionally shattered. She withdrew into isolation, struggling to interact with people, and suffered immense psychological impacts of the incident. She felt overwhelmingly distressed and even suffered from suicidal thoughts, once contemplating jumping into a nearby drain. The deep sense of shame and fear, despite not being at fault, prevented her from speaking openly with her father. Although she eventually confided in her parents, their initial reaction was focused on protecting the family’s reputation rather than supporting her fully.

This type of reaction can often discourage victims, leaving them feeling isolated and unsupported during a critical time when they need reassurance and validation. However, in her case, her brother was the most supportive from the beginning. He played a crucial role by encouraging her to file a case against the perpetrator, giving her the strength to take action. Only after seeing her brother’s determination and the steps she took, that her parents gradually shifted their focus from family honour to supporting her emotionally.

This delay in family support highlights the internal struggles many victims face, as societal pressures and concerns over reputation can often prevent families from providing the immediate emotional backing that the survivors need.

 The victim also revealed there are other individuals who have experienced similar abuse at the hands of the same perpetrator. However, these victims remain unwilling to disclose their experiences due to pervasive fears of societal judgement and stigma. The societal pressure and concerns about personal and family reputation often discourage them from speaking out, further combating the challenges of addressing and confronting such issues.

Another significant aspect of this case is the disparity between the societal support systems between different communities, one in which was born in and the other one which she has been residing for about 10 years now. While she was fighting for the justice, she was able to feel the difference between two different societies. The society in which she was born showed strong support and communal solidarity offering more empathetic and understanding environment. In contrast, the community where she has been residing for the past decade exhibited less support and more reluctance to address the issues of abuse openly.

This disparity underscores how the social and cultural norms of different communities can significantly influence the level of support available to victims. The more supportive nature of her birth community contrasts sharply with her current community, revealing how societal attitudes and the strength of local support systems can impact the victim’s ability to seek help and find healing.

The disparity between these two communities raises an important question: should the level of support a victim receives depend on their personal background or behaviour? Ideally, societal support should be grounded in the recognition of the victim’s experience and the need for justice, rather than personal familiarity or preconceived notions.

Her story serves as a reminder that victims are not to be blamed, and that speaking out is essential for both personal healing and societal change. By raising awareness, this courageous woman hopes to inspire others to come forward, challenging the stigma around molestation and creating a safer environment for future generation.    

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The accused has been charged under Sections 126(2) (wrongful restraint), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 75 (sexual harassment) and 79 (insulting modesty of woman by sound, word, gesture) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023.

The accused had filed anticipatory bail under 482 BNSS which was rejected by the Sessions Court in Darjeeling and later by the Circuit Bench of Calcutta High Court in Jalpaiguri.

[Writes: Prashanti Rai]