In Jharkhand, two heinous sexual violence cases have shaken local communities and drawn national concern. In the first incident, a Spanish tourist was subjected to a savage gangrape in Dumka district, an atrocity carried out by several men while she was camping with her husband. Despite the alarming nature of the violence, law enforcement was able to make three arrests whilst continuing to search for other individuals involved.
Concurrently, a 21-year-old stage performer from Chhattisgarh became a victim of sexual assault under ghastly similar circumstances. After plans to perform in Palamu were abruptly cancelled, the performer, along with her sister, was invited to stay at Golu’s house, a man who operated an orchestra and whom she had worked with before. During their stay, the sisters were offered a cold drink, which the survivor claims was spiked with an intoxicant. While under the influence but conscious, Golu along with two other men allegedly took turns assaulting her. The perpetrators left her on the road in a state of unconsciousness afterward. Once the incident was reported, police acted swiftly, apprehending two of the accused while the manhunt for the third accomplice continues.
The BJP has condemned these events as a ‘stain’ on Jharkhand, voicing concerns about the deteriorating safety and security that these events symbolize. On the other hand, Banna Gupta, a Jharkhand Minister, emphasized the state government’s resolve to take stern action against the offenders. The frequency and severity of these incidents raise questions about the safety of performers and tourists in the state and the measures being taken to protect vulnerable populations from such egregious acts of violence.