The 2021 incident near Benaulim beach, where two girls were allegedly sexually assaulted by four men, was met with a troubling response from the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who blamed the parents for letting their minor children venture out. This statement sends a dangerous message to potential perpetrators, implying they bear partial responsibility. This victim-blaming mentality is alarmingly similar to the Nirbhaya convict's stance. As a society, we operate within a moral framework, governed by laws that hold individuals accountable for violating this code. However, when those in power make statements that erode the law's effectiveness, it can have far-reaching and damaging consequences. If individuals cannot control their base instincts, they should face severe consequences, including confinement or the death sentence, as they have forfeited their right to live freely among humans.
