Setting woman at Blaze in Harwan hints at rise in femicide: Dilshad Shaheen

SRINAGAR: Apni Party Provincial President Women’s Wing Kashmir Dilshad Shaheen on Tuesday termed the death of a woman from New Theed-Harwan as extremely shocking and unfortunate wherein she was allegedly set on fire by her husband and in-laws.
In a statement issued here, Shaheen said that such incidents reveal that even in this progressive age some people continue to objectify women as a source of dowry whereas they may appear outwardly cultured and literate.
“It’s a heinous blot on our society wherein women are still set on flames. Are we still living in the dark ages wherein women used to be burnt alive in the name of witch-hunt? I see no difference between those ruthless uncivilized witch-hunters and present day’s rapaciously insatiable in-laws,” she said.
Shaheen urged the administration to initiate an impartial and speedy probe into this incident so that the culprits are brought to book and justice is delivered to the victim and her family.
Furthermore, she added that the social and religious institutions must come into the forefront to condemn such acts of belligerence against women who are an inseparable part of a prosperous society.
“Every culture and faith has given a high stature to women but some crooked and vicious minds are not able to grasp that message. As responsible members of the society we must not tolerate such crimes against women. Today it has been someone’s sister or daughter but tomorrow it can be yours.
Shaheen said that society collectively needs to break its legitimizing silence and besides demanding justice for the victims should put efforts to avoid such incidents from happening in the future.
“Apni Party Women’s Wing is resolute to raise its voices against such crimes and injustices committed with the women. We will continue to reach out to those women who are facing this menace of domestic violence and have no one to take on their side,” she emphasized.