In a world where justice is meant to be blind, the reality of gender-based legal biases often paints a starkly different picture. The tragic stories of Sourav Rohatgi and Anwita Sharma serve as grim reminders of the disparities and injustices that continue to persist. Though their lives ended in vastly different circumstances, both cases highlight the urgent need for a balanced approach to justice that does not discriminate based on gender.
Sourav Rohatgi: A Victim of Betrayal
Sourav Rohatgi was a hardworking man who had built his career in London. Wanting to surprise his wife on her birthday, he returned home, only to be met with the most horrifying betrayal. His wife, instead of welcoming him with love, had already moved on with another man. In a shocking act of cruelty, she, along with her lover, murdered Sourav and dismembered his body into fifteen pieces, ensuring that their secret never came to light.
Sourav’s case exposes a troubling aspect of modern justice systems—men who suffer from domestic abuse or betrayal often go unheard. Laws designed to protect victims of domestic violence predominantly favor women, sometimes overlooking that men too can be victims of abuse, manipulation, and even murder. While laws protecting women’s rights are undeniably necessary, justice must be equally accessible to all, regardless of gender.
Anwita Sharma: A Life of Silent Suffering
Anwita Sharma’s life was marked by relentless oppression. Though she was a KV school teacher, she could not get the help of the law. A diligent servant in her father-in-law’s house, she endured years of physical and mental abuse. Despite contributing financially to the household, her rights and dignity were trampled upon. Society perceived her as nothing more than a machine, stripping her of her humanity. Unable to endure the suffering any longer, she ended her own life, leaving behind a haunting question—does a woman have to die to prove that she is human?
Anwita’s tragic demise underscores the necessity of enforcing women’s rights more effectively. While laws exist to protect women from domestic violence and exploitation, many women, especially those from marginalized backgrounds, remain unaware of these protections or are too afraid to seek help. Her story is a powerful testament to the need for stronger legal awareness campaigns and support systems for women who suffer in silence.
The Double Standards of Society and Law
The contrasting fates of Sourav and Anwita reveal the deeply entrenched gender biases in our society. On one hand, Anwita’s suffering highlights the oppression of women and their need for legal protections. On the other, Sourav’s brutal murder demonstrates how the legal system often overlooks men as potential victims. Society has long granted unchecked power to men, which in many cases, has led to the oppression of women. However, when men themselves become victims, as in Sourav’s case, the same societal structures fail to protect them.
Justice should not be a privilege based on gender; it should be a fundamental right accessible to all. While it is crucial to uphold women’s rights and ensure their safety, it is equally important to recognize that men too can be victims. Laws must be framed in a way that offers protection to everyone, regardless of gender, and ensures that no crime goes unnoticed or unpunished.
A Call for Change
The stories of Sourav and Anwita are not just isolated incidents; they are reflections of the broader flaws in our legal and societal structures. Addressing these injustices requires a multifaceted approach:
- Gender-Neutral Laws: Laws addressing domestic violence, abuse, and harassment should be inclusive, recognizing both men and women as potential victims.
- Legal Awareness Campaigns: Many women, like Anwita, do not know how to seek help. Awareness programs should educate both men and women about their legal rights and the resources available to them.
- Stronger Enforcement: It is not enough to have laws on paper; they must be enforced effectively. Authorities should ensure that every victim, irrespective of gender, receives justice.
- Changing Social Mindsets: Society must move beyond gender stereotypes and recognize that suffering is not exclusive to any one gender. Empathy, rather than bias, should guide our approach to justice.
Sourav Rohatgi and Anwita Sharma are no longer among us, but their stories should serve as catalysts for change. Their tragic ends are reminders that justice must be impartial, unshackled from the biases of gender. Only when we recognize and rectify these systemic flaws can we hope to create a world where no one—man or woman—has to suffer in silence.
