Male dominance persists; need to change mindset of boys, says Bombay HC

PTI, MUMBAI, AUG 27, 2024: Boys need to be educated about gender equality and sensitized from a tender age, and their mindset needs to be changed as well, the Bombay High Court said on Tuesday while hearing a plea on the Badlapur sexual assault case. A division bench of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Prithiviraj Chavan, hearing a plea taken up suo motu (on its own), said male dominance and chauvinism persist in society, and hence, boys need to be taught from a young age about right and wrong behavior. The court suggested setting up a committee to study the issue and recommend rules and guidelines to be followed in schools to avoid such incidents.

Two four-year-old girls were allegedly sexually abused by an attendant at a school in Badlapur. The incident triggered protests, with the state government assuring strict action against the culprit. The court reiterated its displeasure with the Badlapur police's initial handling of the probe and said the police ought to have shown some sensitivity. The bench noted: "One of the victim girls and her family were asked to come to the police station to record their statement. The Badlapur police did not even attempt to record the statement at their house. There has been a serious lapse in the investigation by the Badlapur police."

Maharashtra's Advocate General (AG) Birendra Saraf admitted to the lapse and said three police officers from the Badlapur police station have been suspended. The court further said the state education department could step in to ensure children are taught in school about gender equality and gender sensitization from the pre-primary level itself. "Male dominance and male chauvinism are still there. Until we teach our children at home about equality, nothing will happen. Till then, all these laws like Nirbhaya and all will not work," the bench said.

"We always speak about girls. Why don't we tell boys what is right and wrong? We need to change the mindset of boys when they are young. Teach them to respect women," it added. The court said proper awareness is required and lamented the overuse of social media among children. "There is a Marathi movie 'Saatchya Aat Gharat' (Be home before 7 pm). Why is this only for girls? Why not for boys?" the bench questioned. The court suggested setting up a committee comprising a retired judge, a retired policeman, a retired principal, a woman IPS officer, and a member of the Child Welfare Committee. This committee could study the issue and recommend rules and guidelines to be followed in schools to avoid such incidents in the future, it said.