Sensitise people about rape and sexual offences, demands PIL

The Supreme Court has asked the Centre and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to respond to a PIL seeking directions for sensitizing people about penal provisions on rape, including the POCSO Act, to make India a better place for girls and women.

A Bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud issued notices to the Centre, union ministries of education and information and broadcasting and the CBFC after the petitioner -- senior advocate Aabad Harshad Ponda urged the Bench to contribute in making India a safer and better place for women.

The PIL sought directions to the Information of Broadcasting Ministry, CBFC and other broadcasting authorities to highlight the awareness of the folly of committing rape and its punishments, besides educating the public about the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Noting that it was in the process of preparing a judgment in a POCSO case, the Bench said it might issue guidelines on the sensitive issue. "We will list it after the judgment," the CJI told Ponda on Friday.

"We need the help of the Union, the states and all combined to disseminate information about the potential the laws have to cure this problem, in the form of prevention of rapes.... A large number of people in this country are completely unaware of the deterrence for rape (and) the new definition of rape after the Nirbhaya case in 2013...," Ponda said.

He has sought a direction to the Education Ministry to ask all educational institutions providing free and compulsory education to children aged up to 14 years to incorporate the penal provisions regarding offences against women and children.

"Particularly, endeavours are required to be made to change the mindset of the boys in this country, an exercise that must start at the level of school," the PIL said, adding, the subject of moral training also has to be included to ensure awareness about sexual equality, rights of women and girls and their freedom to live with dignity.

It sought directions to the Centre to ask authorities at the local level and state government officials to educate the public through advertisements, seminars, pamphlets and other modes about the penal laws in the country relating to rape and other offences against women and children.