It is with deep and anguish that I read this
morning of the sad news ~ it is there in all local newspapers, yet thought of
sharing the anguish of the tragedy that befell on a young girl for no fault of
hers. She promised her friends she would return to work by April, felt proud
when the media hailed her for resisting her attacker, and drew strength from
her kin and friends who buoyed her spirit. But 23-yearold J Vinodhini needed
more to stay alive.
Times of India photo
Vinodhini, a
23-year-old girl, who suffered grievous burns three months ago in an acid
attack by a man whose advances she had rejected, succumbed to the injuries on
Tuesday at a private hospital here.
Doctors at the hospital said she had suffered a cardiac arrest. Plastic
surgeon V. Jayaraman, who was treating her since the attack, said, “We twice
tried to revive her heart. We also gave her blood. But the protein levels were
low as she did not have enough nourishment.”
Whatever it was, she is no more…….
The death of acid victim J Vinodhini triggered public outcry in the
Union territory
of Puducherry
Another victim whose
heart-rending story makes us feel desolate and
which any civilized Society should ensure would never get repeated. There is no point in telling that in a
civilized society, one should reform criminals; first hand over the
perpetrators the highest punishment – some advocate capital punishment; put
them to solitary confinement; Outcast them and make them repent for rest of
their life; take away their property – there should be no place for animals in
any society. Sadly, with the passage of
time or with another crime, focus will shift – absolute nothing would have
changed.
The case of J Vinodhini
was far worse; might not have received such a National outage. She hailed from a poor family, whose
parents sold their small plot of
ancestral property to finance her B.Tech in an Engg college in Karaikal, in
Puducherry. Her father worked as a
watchman; she completed her education, was the ray of hope for all her family –
got a job pursuing her dreams in a private company in Chennai…………………… sadly,
all dreams were shattered on that fateful day in Nov 14 when Vinodhini suffered an acid attack by a
spurned suitor that has left her blind in both her eyes. The accused was identified as Suresh Kumar,
alias Appu, 32, an engineering diploma holder who runs a business renting out
concrete mixer machine. Kumar had reportedly expressed an interest in
Vinodhini, after which she had informed her parents. The victim’s father had even complained to the local police, who summoned
Kumar and issued a warning. He was made to give a written assurance that he
would not trouble Vinodhini. On that
day, when she had gone home for Deepavali, the accused reportedly threw acid on
her. Vinodhini suffered 40 per cent burns in the acid attack, including
injuries to her face, chest and hand. Both her eyes were severely damaged.
Jayapal and Padmanabhan were also injured in the attack. Kumar himself suffered
10 per cent burn injuries.
She underwent untold
misery and suffering for 3 months as Vinodhini was rushed to a local hospital,
from where she was later shifted to JIPMER hospital. From there, she was
referred to the Government
Kilpauk Medical
College Hospital
People may shout from
rooftops on gender equality, more freedom, power and influence for women, that
too in every aspect of public life: politics, police, administration,
education, health, judiciary… and more importantly, in decision-making
roles. But can any Society allow such
victims to remain in silence and suffer.
No point in simply organizing candle rallies or writing about this; the
civil Society should hang its head in shame, think, devise and implement some
strong measure to ensure that these do not happen to any other unfortunate
person.
Today, upon knowing her
death, acid attack appears to be the most heinous crime and the assailant
should remorselessly be given the maximum punishment – immediately
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