The Delhi High Court has pulled up the Centre and Delhi government for its "insensitivity" in creating awareness among people about laws and punishment for offences against women and children.
A bench of justices Kailash Gambhir and Sunita Gupta said that it was totally "aghast and saddened" that both the government's have not taken steps to educate the masses on the issue despites the fact that there has been a steep rise in such cases.
"While adjourning this matter, we express our disgust and displeasure at the apathy and insensitivity of the central and Delhi governments for having failed to take steps to produce even a single documentary..."
"... Or for that matter take the help of any other visual media to educate people of Delhi about the nature of sexual offences concerning women and child and create awareness about existing laws and stringent punishments provided against such offences despite several directions by this court," it said.
The court had earlier asked the government's to create awareness of sexual offences and the law in the capital.
"In contrast, one individual, a British filmmaker, could make a documentary film on the brutal gangrape that has managed to kick up a storm and trigger a furore in India," the court observed.
Referring to the latest datas of National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), the bench said that on an average "93 women are raped every day in India".
"This is despite the initiation of various steps by the government and also the passing of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013....
"...But what is in a bad taste are the irresponsible and vile statements made very often by erudite people who hold reputable positions and place in diverse fields, and show no signs of shame while voicing their warped and misogynistic ideals," the bench said.
The court opined that to deal with the issue there should be awareness regarding women's rights issues and violence against women, "from a very early age, children - girls and boys - should be educated on human rights and gender equality".
The court, while posting the matter for April 9 directed both the governments to file affidavit on the issue.
The court was hearing an appeal filed by a man convicted for raping his minor daughter.
It said that the reason for increase in such cases was because people were unaware of the law and did not fear any legal action.
