Supreme Court issues notice to Centre on plea to include rape laws in school curriculum
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday sought a response from the Central government on a petition seeking to introduce rape laws and women's rights in the school syllabus. The petition also calls for moral education aimed at fostering awareness about sexual equality and ensuring the dignity of women and girls.
A bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud issued the notice on a petition filed by senior advocate Aabad Harshad Ponda. The plea was motivated by the recent rape and murder of a junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata.
Ponda argued that while certain states have introduced severe penalties for rape, including mandatory life imprisonment or death sentences, such measures alone may not suffice. He contended that awareness and education about the laws are crucial to addressing the issue at its root.
"The repeated occurrence of rapes in the country indicates a failure in governance and law enforcement," Ponda said. He emphasised the need to educate the public, particularly the uneducated and economically disadvantaged, about rape and the legal protections available.
The petition highlighted recent laws in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh mandating death sentences for rape and murder, while West Bengal has introduced similar legislation awaiting Presidential assent. Ponda expressed concern about the legality of such laws, citing past Supreme Court rulings that have struck down similar provisions. He referenced Mithu v State of Punjab (1983) and State of Punjab v Dalbir Singh (2012), where the Court ruled that mandatory death sentences violated constitutional principles.
The plea further called for schools and educational institutions, including government-aided ones, to incorporate sex education and penal laws related to rape, alongside promoting gender equality and respect for the rights of women and girls.
Ponda also stressed the importance of public awareness campaigns through media and social platforms to deter such crimes and educate the public about the legal consequences and available remedies.
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Birsa Munda's great-grandson, injured in road accident, dies of cardiovascular failure in Ranchi
Ranchi (PTI): Tribal icon Birsa Munda's great-grandson Mangal Munda, who was undergoing treatment at a hospital here after being injured in a road accident, died of "cardiovascular failure" on Friday, an official of the health facility said.
He was 45.
Mangal Munda breathed his last at 12.30 am at the state's apex health facility - Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences.
Munda sustained severe head injuries after he fell from the roof of a passenger vehicle in Jharkhand's Khunti district on November 25.
"Birsa Munda's kin Mangal Munda died of cardiovascular failure around 12.30 am. He was on a ventilator after being critically injured. We tried our best to save him but failed," RIMS Medical Superintendent Dr Hiren Birua told PTI.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's office, Union Health Minister JP Nadda and the Jharkhand Chief Minister's office were in touch with the RIMS authorities in connection with Munda's treatment.
