India News

“Justice must be swifter for acid attack survivors”

Published

9 years ago

March 8, 2017

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Mumbai-based clinical psychologist Dr Prathishta Trivedi has specialised in counselling victims of violence. These include women who have faced acid attacks and who remain psychologically traumatised by this horrific act. She addresses mental health issues for women and children in both government and private hospitals. On International Women’s Day, Rashme Sehgal interviews Dr Trivedi

What is the immediate trauma women face when acid is thrown at them? Can you describe this?

Immediately after the acid attack, the victim will suffer very, very intense physical and psychological trauma. The acid burns their skin. If it is thrown on the face, the eyelids, lips can burn, the nose and ears can shrivel and if they inhale the fumes, it will burn their insides, too. Acid burns you, the flesh melts and sticks together and the internal organs can get affected. If the scar tissue stretches and covers the nose, the victim has a problem in breathing. A victim can become unconscious though she will not die immediately. At the time of the attack, the psychological trauma is secondary.

What is the nature of the psychological trauma they experience?

Victims of acid attack suffer a complete loss of identity. When we look into the mirror, we see two eyes, a nose, a pair of lips. After the attack, the physical appearance gets significantly distorted and the individual finds it very difficult to adjust to this. After all, not only do they have to perceive themselves under the changed circumstances but outsiders, whether it is family or members of society, are also looking at them. The person feels very helpless. The first question they ask me when they come for counseling ‘why me’? They also realise just how little freedom they actually have. These victims tell me that they believed they had freedom over their lives and so, if they turned down a proposal or said no to getting married, they did so under the belief that they could do so. Not once did they realise they would be made to pay such a heavy price. Most of these victims belong to the 15-25 age group. Following the attack, they suffer recurrent nightmares; they cannot sleep; they are scared of stepping out of their homes. This post acid traumatic syndrome stays with them for a long time.

India is witnessing an increasing number of acid attacks and NGOs dealing with acid attack victims warn that the numbers went up to 1,600 attacks in 2016. The Acid Survivors Foundation India had collated from newspaper reports that there were 80 victims in 2010.

I do not know the exact numbers but many of these victims belong to the lower socio-economic sections though I would not like to generalise. Very few victims are able to come for individual counselling sessions. Some of these women will approach NGOs and human right organisations for assistance but mental health takes a back seat in their lives. That is very unfortunate because they all suffer from tremendous levels of depression and stress. Often, when NGOs call us to interact with these victims then they realise we are available to help them. I think only ten per cent of victims seek any kind of psychiatric assistance. It’s a very bleak situation.

You see, counselling is a long term intervention and can carry on for years. Mental health by law is not considered a necessity. The Supreme Court has directed that each victim be given Rs three lakhs and not be charged for medical treatment. Each of these victims often has to undergo 50 to 60 plastic surgeries for the face reconstruction. In a government setting, they are not charged and they seldom approach private hospitals for assistance.

How do the victims feel during this long process of reconstructive surgery?

The impact of the acid attack is for everyone to see. Everyone knows what has happened. Unfortunately, the talk around them is very negative because people stop treating them the way they used to before the attack.

I would say these victims need rehabilitation; they need a job. I believe they lead very lonely lives. They also suffer from an acute sense of fear. Every time they meet people, they are scared they may be attacked again. Even when victims want to come out of it, people don’t allow them to do so. They are boxed into that experience because their entire life is being defined by the attack.

When they wear clothes or comb their hair, their attempt will be to cover their scars. Their physical, social and occupational life is defined by this. They need empathy, they do not need pity.

Are parents supportive of acid victims?

Parents are supportive but they are also helpless. Many of them suffer from a lack of resources and that can prove a major obstacle in helping the victim.

Why are shopkeepers still permitted to sell acid over the counter?

Our laws are not strict. For any law to be implemented, people must be willing to follow it. Shopkeepers have been asked to take the address of the person buying acid but this is not adhered to. Why should acid be available for shopkeepers? It should be available only in an industrial setting. But I know of an attacker who took out acid from a car battery. Another perpetrator took it out of an industrial setting. Justice needs to be much swifter in punishing the attackers.

What is the psychology of the attacker?

It’s an act of aggression, an act of passion. The perpetrator feels a sense of hurt and injustice and by throwing acid he believes he is getting justice. The perpetrator is performing an act of revenge over a perceived rejection by a woman. Sometimes it is done over a family fight. There are cases of men attacking other men but it remains largely a gendered form of violence.

There is an accusation that some NGOs misuse the funds they have collected in the name of acid victims?

It may be so in some cases. This amounts to adding insult to injury.

How has counselling helped acid victims?

It takes years for them to come out of the trauma, to gain peace of mind and become more empowered because they do feel a great deal of frustration. Doctors do reconstructive surgery but they cannot make the face and body the same as before and the person has to make peace with that. It’s a lot of acceptance. Once that happens, the adjustment process starts.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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India stresses mutual respect in ties with Italy after Congress’ Meloni remark

India stressed mutual respect and understanding in its ties with Italy after Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, made remarks involving Giorgia Meloni.

Published

6 hours ago

August 14, 2026

APNLive Desk

India underlined the importance of maintaining mutual respect and understanding in its relationship with Italy, a day after Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s handling of foreign policy.

The Ministry of External Affairs said India and Italy share strong bilateral ties and expressed its commitment to further strengthening the relationship.

“We share deep and strong ties with Italy, and we are committed to further strengthening this relationship,” the MEA said. It added that friendship and bilateral relations between countries should be maintained within a framework of mutual respect and understanding.

The statement came after a political controversy over remarks made at a Congress event in Delhi.

Rahul Gandhi’s mock hug draws BJP criticism

At the Congress event, Rahul Gandhi greeted party leader Sandeep Dikshit with a mock hug. Gandhi had earlier criticised the Prime Minister’s approach to diplomacy, suggesting that it was being reduced to symbolic gestures such as hugging foreign leaders.

Dikshit then brought Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni into the exchange with a remark, following which Rahul Gandhi played along.

The episode drew sharp criticism from BJP leaders, who accused the Congress leader of using inappropriate language against the Prime Minister and lowering the dignity associated with the office of the Leader of Opposition.

Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi questioned Rahul Gandhi’s conduct and said India required mature leadership. He also criticised remarks in which Gandhi had referred to the government as “jokers and clowns”.

BJP leaders target Rahul Gandhi

Union Minister Giriraj Singh also attacked Rahul Gandhi, describing him as “mentally frustrated” and questioning his conduct.

BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj said Rahul Gandhi’s language was inconsistent with the dignity expected from the Leader of Opposition.

BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla also criticised the Congress leader, saying that while disagreement with Prime Minister Modi was legitimate, bringing a foreign woman leader into what he described as a crude joke was neither appropriate nor statesmanlike.

The MEA’s statement, meanwhile, focused on India’s bilateral relationship with Italy and reiterated that mutual respect and understanding remain important to maintaining ties between the two countries.

India News

Assam BJP leader Bikash Dhar found dead, 5 arrested for murder

BJP leader Bikash Dhar, 52, was found dead in an abandoned house in Assam’s Sribhumi district after being reported missing on August 12. Police have arrested five people in connection with the alleged murder.

Published

7 hours ago

August 14, 2026

APNLive Desk

A 52-year-old BJP leader who had been missing for two days was found dead in Assam’s Sribhumi district on Friday, with police alleging that he was murdered.

Bikash Dhar, a resident of Chagalmowa village under Bazaricherra police station, was found dead inside an abandoned house in the Yogicherra area near the Tripura border on Friday morning.

Dhar’s family had filed a missing complaint on August 12 after he left home following a phone call.

According to his son Madan Dhar, Bikash left around 1 pm after saying that he had to attend an emergency meeting. When he did not return and his phone was switched off, the family began searching for him and later approached the police.

Five arrested in murder case

Sribhumi Superintendent of Police Leena Doley said an investigation was launched after the missing complaint was received. The probe was conducted under the supervision of the Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime).

Police said five people have been arrested in connection with the alleged murder. They were identified as Abdul Salam, Sifat Ali, Abdul Ahad, Saiful Ali and Badrul Haque.

According to the police, interrogation of Abdul Salam revealed that the accused had an enmity with Dhar. Police alleged that the group killed him and dumped his body near a water body.

Another person, identified as Sunam Miya, was named during the investigation and reportedly fled to Tripura on the night of the incident.

Police find injury and cut marks on body

Police said injury and cut marks were found on Dhar’s body, and a murder case has been registered.

During the recovery of the alleged weapon, police said accused Badrul Haque attempted to escape from custody. A police constable was injured during the incident.

Police said they fired at Haque’s leg to prevent him from escaping, resulting in a bullet wound.

The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Dhar’s death and the alleged involvement of the accused is underway.

India News

Jharkhand CID raids multiple locations in JPSC exam irregularities case

Jharkhand CID conducted raids across several districts to arrest seven accused in a case involving alleged irregularities in JPSC competitive examinations.

Published

16 hours ago

August 14, 2026

APNLive Desk

The Jharkhand Crime Investigation Department (CID) has conducted raids at several locations across the state as part of its investigation into alleged irregularities in competitive examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC).

According to a CID press release, the searches were carried out to arrest seven accused named in Case No. 16/2026 and execute warrants issued against them.

The accused have been identified as Aditya Pandey, Pawan Kumar Singh, Ravishankar Kumar, Santosh Kumar Singh, Sanand Prakash, Lalu Kumar Yadav and Saurabh Kumar Pandey.

The CID conducted searches in several districts as part of efforts to apprehend the accused. The agency said its investigation into the case is continuing.

CID examining evidence in exam irregularities case

The case relates to alleged irregularities in various competitive examinations conducted by the JPSC.

As part of the investigation, the CID has begun matching OMR carbon copies obtained during the probe and examining other evidence collected in the case.

The agency said further action would be taken according to law on the basis of the evidence gathered. It added that legally permissible action against those found involved in the case is underway.

ABVP protests over JPSC, JSSC exams

The CID raids come amid protests over alleged irregularities and paper leaks in examinations conducted by the JPSC and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).

On August 13, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) held protests in several cities, demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe and strict action against those responsible.

In New Delhi, students and ABVP workers protested outside Jharkhand Bhawan, calling on the Jharkhand government to take steps to restore confidence in the examination system.

According to the ABVP, similar protests were held in Lucknow, Kolkata, Guwahati, Agartala, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Surat, Gorakhpur, Jodhpur, Kota, Raipur, Bhubaneswar, Varanasi and Prayagraj, as well as at university campuses.

The student organisation has sought an impartial CBI investigation into alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC examinations. It has also demanded cancellation of the JSSC CGL examination, citing concerns over its integrity, along with fresh examinations where irregularities have been reported.

Meanwhile, JPSC-JSSC aspirants continue to protest at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi. The ABVP has also alleged that students protesting peacefully on August 10 and 11 faced lathi-charge, water cannons and arrests.

Jharkhand CID has conducted raids at multiple locations in connection with alleged irregularities in JPSC competitive examinations and efforts to arrest seven accused named in Case No. 16/2026.

The action comes amid continuing student protests demanding a CBI probe into alleged JPSC-JSSC exam irregularities.