Supreme Court Moves to Educate on Anti-Rape Laws: PIL Seeks School Curriculum Reform and Public Awareness

On September 13, 2024, the Supreme Court of India issued a notice in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) calling for increased awareness of anti-rape laws within the school curriculum and broader society. The plea, filed by Senior Advocate Aabad Ponda, seeks to address the disconnect between the existence of stringent anti-rape legislation and its effective communication to all societal segments.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Misra issued the notice on the petition. The PIL asserts that despite the presence of robust anti-rape laws intended to deter such crimes, incidents of sexual violence against women continue to rise. The petitioner argues that merely imposing harsher penalties, such as mandatory death sentences, is not a sufficient solution to this issue.

The petition critiques the effectiveness of stringent punishments, citing that such measures may not address the root causes of sexual violence. It highlights that societal attitudes and awareness play a crucial role in combating gender-based violence. The PIL emphasizes that the real solution lies in bridging the communication gap between existing laws and their understanding within society.

Ponda argues that while some states like Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and West Bengal advocate for mandatory death sentences for rape and murder, these measures may not effectively curb sexual violence. The petition references past Supreme Court rulings that have deemed mandatory death sentences unconstitutional, raising concerns about the legality and potential drawbacks of such harsh penalties.

The PIL advocates for a more comprehensive approach, including education and awareness to change societal attitudes towards women. It underscores the importance of addressing the root causes of gender inequality and argues that stringent laws alone are insufficient.

In terms of specific requests to educational and public authorities, the petition proposes the following measures:

• Integration of anti-rape and other gender-related penal laws into school syllabuses, potentially within or alongside existing sex education programs.

• Implementation of moral education aimed at promoting sexual equality and challenging prevailing sexist attitudes among boys and men.

• Public awareness campaigns through advertisements, seminars, pamphlets, and other media to educate the general populace about rape laws and related offences.

• Production and dissemination of documentaries, short films, and other media featuring prominent personalities to reinforce messages of zero tolerance towards rape and to promote gender equality.

  
  

The petition, drawn and filed by Advocate Sandeep Sudhakar Deshmukh, emphasizes the necessity of a holistic approach to combating sexual violence through education and public awareness, rather than relying solely on punitive measures.