Amritsar Temple Rape: Why Hasn’t Mainstream Media Covered the Assault on Two Women?

As the world deals with the coronavirus crisis, a chilling incident has come to light from Amritsar where Punjab police has arrested the head priest and another priest of the Ram Tirath Temple for holding two women captive and raping them repeatedly.

Girdhari Nath and Varinder Nath have been arrested, while two others who were accused managed to escape and the police are on the lookout for them. The victims, aged 25 years and 40 years respectively, were raped by the four accused.

Police says that the women were held captive at Amritsar’s Ram Tirath temple ashram and raped repeatedly. Two priests have been arrested, two are on the run, reports @AdityaMenon22.https://t.co/iZIYj3C3zT

— The Quint (@TheQuint) May 20, 2020

One of the victims, who is 25 years of age, had gone to the Gyan Nath Ashram to seek blessings from the priests when she was allegedly taken captive, her phone was stolen and she was raped by the priests. The victims had gone to the head priest to complain about the disciples but instead of addressing the complaint, Girdhari Nath and Varinder Nath also raped the victims.

One of the victims managed to grab hold of a mobile phone and informed her family. Acting on the complaint by a member of the Punjab Commission for Scheduled Castes Tarsem Singh Sayalka, the Amritsar Police SSP Vikramjeet Singh Duggal dispatched a team to raid the temple complex and freed the victims. Police said that the two arrested priests have been booked under sections 376, 379, 506 of the IPC.

“We raided the complex on the basis of a complaint filed by Tarsem Singh Sayalka and have arrested two accused. Those who are on the run will be arrested soon as police teams are raiding their possible hideouts,” said Guru Pratap Singh, the DSP of Atari.

Amritsar temple priest repeatedly raped two women in confinement, arrested after police raid https://t.co/khP8m1DHXO via @indiatoday

— Frank Jose (@FrankJo69777661) May 19, 2020

The story was received with shock and anger on social media, with a user pointing out that women aren’t safe even in the temples where they’ve gone to seek blessings.

Why. Why aren’t women safe anywhere. https://t.co/zxH9ef7JNf

— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) May 20, 2020

“Where is God when we really need him?” another one asked.

Where is God when we really need him? https://t.co/zIAh3pEN12

— GL/Smash Brahminical patriarchy📚🎵☕️💃🐿️🌷🌼 (@GL_Funky) May 20, 2020

Salman Nizami of the Congress party said, “It is important to address these issues & bring the people responsible to justice. We must stand united as society against such barbaric crimes!”

Sad. It is important to address these issues & bring the people responsible to justice. We must stand united as society against such barbaric crimes! https://t.co/csUIznGSin

— Salman Nizami (@SalmanNizami_) May 20, 2020

Social media users have asked for the harshest punishment, for a sin at a place of worship deserves no less.

Need to hang those rapists ASAP.
Raping in lord Shriram temple that too by priests.
The temple is ashram of Saint valmiki who wrote Ramayan according the legend. My heart bleeds for the victims.
Need the hang those rapists.

— Appananda (@Appananda3) May 20, 2020

Some also pointed to the muted response from the mainstream media, and why it had not highlighted this issue and reported it.

Wondering why no media is covering this? Because rapists were Preist ? https://t.co/Ijeq8qFrcf

— Gowtham (@Gowtham_Fzs) May 21, 2020

We will eventually find a cure for coronavirus soon but to rid ourselves from all these monsters in society is going to be a long battle, especially when the perpetrators like priests hold positions of power and also sympathies within the broader society and among those in government, as has been seen in multiple cases. One can only hope no one will rally in support of these criminals, nor will they be garlanded at an event soon, but will be dished the harshest punishment swiftly.