Indian women’s rights advocate quits after ‘rape victim selfie’
Ms Gurjar urged to resign after photograph with victim went viral on social media
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.An Indian women’s rights advocate has resigned after being photographed taking a 'selfie' with a rape victim.
Somya Gurjar, who worked for the Rajasthan State Commission for Women, was pictured alongside another advocate taking photos with the victim at a police station after her attack.
The woman alleged her husband and two of his nephews raped her and tattooed slurs across her forehead and hand.
The victim was reportedly raped because she had failed to pay a dowry of about £570 (51,000 Indian rupee).
A third woman in the picture appears to be turning the victim’s tattooed arm towards the camera of a tablet, while Ms Gurjar smiles and takes the photo.
The picture was shared thousands of times on social media, prompting many to call on Ms Gurjar to resign.
She told the Hindustan Times she had stepped down from her job - but maintained she was in the right:
“I have not done anything wrong but tendered my resignation on moral grounds if my action has hurt anybody’s feelings,” she said.
The chairperson of the National Commission for Women called the selfie “very insensitive”.
But speaking to Indian news agency Asian News International, Ms Gurjar said: “That selfie wasn’t for entertainment. That woman was quite enthusiastic about [the photo].
“When we were taking pictures of her tattoo as a part of the probe, she showed a lot of interest in our phone and asked us to take her picture.”
Under Indian law, rape is not an offence when the victim and perpetrator are married, although there have been campaigns to criminalise it.
Reported rapes in India are rising, according to official figures. The brutal gang rape of a medical student in Delhi in 2012 prompted national outrage and new anti-rape laws.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments