Acids predominantly is an essential part of our day to day living having a wide variety of usage starting from being used metal industries for removing corrosions, as an sulfuric acid in carbatteries, mineral processing, as nitric acid for fertilisers, as phosphoric acids in colas, as citric acid in preservatives, acetic acid in vinegars and so on. Acids also find wide application in manufacture of drugs prominent among those are acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) used as pain killer and bringing down fevers. They also find applications as toilet cleaners and other household and industrial cleaning solvents. Interesting to also note that hydrochloric acid present in the stomach helps in digestion by breaking the large food particles into smaller ones. Fatty acids are important for growth and repair of body tissues, Nucleic acids are required for the manufacturing of DNA and RNA and transmitting of traits to offspring through genes while Carbonic acid is important for maintenance of pH equilibrium in the body.
However, its hard to imagine that acids also are used in creating disharmony in the society which unfortunately is a fact. Yes, people are attacked and thrown against them highly concentrated acids intended to cause intense harm to the person who must bear the brunt. It’s a heinous crime termed as Acid attacks. Throwing concentrated acids on human body causes devastating effect on the person both physically and mentally. The effect of these acids is such that there is a lifelong body disfigurement, weakening of the skin up to the bone as well. In most of the cases, where is acid is thrown on the face, the eyelids, lips get completely charred beyond recognition.
Dreams Die
For some it may sound surprising but acid attacks in most cases happens on women only. it’s one of the classical case of showing male dominance over women for repressing them. Why does this attack happen in the first case? Well most of times the reasons are common across the country which is rejection of love/marriage or refusal by women for sexual favors, dowry disagreements and other related issues. This is seen as a premeditated crime intended to kill or maim her permanently and act as a lesson to “put her in her place”.
In addition to medical effect due to acid attack, it also damages the woman involved both psychologically and socially beyond repair in many cases. Acid attacks have a long-term effect and mostly in all cases the face becomes disfigured for lifetime. But since the survival rate is high amongst victims of acid attacks, they would have to face numerous physical challenges, which require prolonged surgical treatment, as well as mental or psychological challenges, which require them to spend a huge part of their time and money to psychologists and counselors at each level of physical recovery.
Awareness
Indian men in many cases find it difficult to accept women who pursue professional life outside home. They find themselves insecure and threatened which would be a provocation to commit such crimes. Most violence including acid attacks emanates from this inability of men to cope with independent women whether its in the city or in villages or anywhere else.
A change in attitude of men towards the well being of women needs to be nurtured. They need to be taught the importance of parenting, household work and family life. Involving them in these activities will give them no time to commit any such acts. Infact, the problem of acid attack is major issue and must be addressed very strongly. The supreme court has ruled that sale of acid to common man without any documentation is illegal.
Network and Rehabilitation
Alok Dixit, who is the founder of the Stop Acid Attacks (SAA) campaign based in New Delhi, has established a cafe in the northern city of Agra that is run by acid attack survivors. He has created a network of acid attack survivors in India. His aim is to make them self dependent, take care of themselves and be leaders to fight against their cause and rights. As the cafe in Agra created a positive impact on the survivors, he opened another cafe in Lucknow recently, and is planning to set up two more cafes - one in Udaipur and another in New Delhi.
The Torchbearer
An acid attack survivor, Laxmi Agarwal is an example and perhaps the role model for numerous women. After surviving an acid attack,she has not allowed self-pity, but has taken life in her own hands and is doing relatively well for herself. She was the inspiration behind the movie Chhapaak starring Deepika Padukone. In 2005, Laxmi, then 15 years old, a resident of Delhi, refused the overtures of a 32-year-old married man. One day, while she was waiting for a bus to head to the bookstore, where she worked as a part-time salesperson, the man suddenly threw acid on her face and disappeared in the crowd. Her whole changed in just few seconds and her dream of becoming a singer was shattered. After years of struggle and corrective surgeries to look out for a job failed, Laxmi decided to pursue her studies. Education bought a renewed confidence in Laxmi and finally she stopped covering her face.
Abundant survivors have recovered with their grit and have become a source of inspiration and motivation for others. There are many real life stories related to people like Anshu, Bimla, Farha,Reshma Qureshi, Soni Devi and lot many more.
Strict Legislation against the Crime
There has been intense research to find solutions to the increasing incidence of acid attacks in the world. There have been several reports that highlighted the need for an increased, legal role of NGOs to offer rehabilitation support to acid survivors. Nonetheless, all research presses the need for strict legislation of acid sales in order to combat this crime rate.
Supreme court of India has ruled that government authorities must regulate the sale of Acid through a proper channel. The buyer must provide a photo ID to the retailer in order to make a purchase. The retailer also must sell the acid to the buyer and registered their names and address.
The law also states that whoever burns or maims or disfigures or disables any part or parts of the body of a person or causes grievous hurt by throwing acid on or administering acid to that person, shall be punishable with imprisonment of not less than 10 years and which may be extended to life imprisonment and with fine of up to 10 Lakh Rupees which will be given to the grieved person.This law is cognizable, non-bailable and tried under first class magistrate.
Restricting the sale of acid in our country is not only the solution. The big solution is for mothers to ensure that their male children and female children are treated equally. Its also important to teach the male children to learn to respect the female children. It is also critical to provide counselling and medical care to the victims of acid attacks who have been physically disfigured and mentally devastated.
In most of the cases, these victims are not well off financially and will not have any strength to bear the cost of medical treatment, its important to have a robust rehabilitation program to bring them back to mainstream society along with financial assistance
NGO’s should be given more importance and grants to handle such cases so that they help in guiding these victims wade through their stigma and help them to revert back to their new “normal” life.
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