In a poignant testament to resilience, Shaheen Malik, an acid attack survivor and advocate for disability rights in India, is tirelessly campaigning for justice and rehabilitation for fellow victims. Despite her own harrowing experiences, which include enduring 25 surgeries since her attack in 2009, Malik remains undeterred in her quest to challenge systemic injustices facing acid attack survivors.
A Struggle for Recognition
Malik’s advocacy has recently taken a significant step forward. In December, she petitioned the Supreme Court of India, arguing that the current disability law fails to consider survivors like Ruman, a victim who was forced to ingest acid by her husband during a brutal domestic violence incident in 2019. This traumatic experience left Ruman with severe internal injuries, including a reconstructed oesophagus, yet she remains ineligible for compensation due to the law’s narrow definition of a victim.
“For survivors of forced acid ingestion, the disfigurement is internal and hence not as obvious,” Malik explains. “But their lives are extremely challenging as they find it difficult to breathe, speak, and swallow food despite numerous surgeries.” This critical oversight in the law highlights the urgent need for reform to protect all survivors, regardless of the visibility of their injuries.
Shaheen Malik’s Journey
Since her own attack at the age of 23, when she was targeted outside her workplace in Haryana, Malik has emerged as a prominent figure in the fight for justice. Over the last 16 years, she has battled through a legal system that has often failed to deliver justice, culminating in the acquittal of her attackers in December. Undaunted, she has appealed the verdict, determined to set a precedent that will ensure perpetrators are held accountable.
“I fought for justice for myself. But now, I’m fighting for the sake of other survivors and victims of abuse,” she asserts. “I want my case to be an example of justice served, that perpetrators won’t walk free and will face the consequences of their actions.”
In 2021, Malik co-founded the Brave Souls Foundation with fellow survivor Laxmi Agarwal. This non-profit organisation provides essential legal and economic support to acid attack survivors, many of whom have been ostracised by society and abandoned by their families. The foundation currently supports around 50 survivors in its shelter home in Delhi, where they receive care and assistance.
Addressing Systemic Challenges
Malik and Ruman, who lives in the foundation’s shelter, are part of a larger community of survivors confronting significant hurdles in their pursuit of justice. The conviction rate in acid attack cases remains alarmingly low, with recent data revealing a mere 16 convictions from 703 pending cases in 2023. This systemic failure is compounded by the increasing number of attacks; the National Crime Records Bureau reported a rise from 176 cases in 2021 to 207 in 2023.
The Supreme Court’s recent directives to state governments demand annual reports on acid attack cases and advocate for stringent punitive measures against offenders, including the potential auctioning of perpetrators’ assets to compensate victims. While these steps are promising, Malik emphasises the necessity of effective implementation alongside legislative reforms.
“Many private hospitals refuse to admit acid attack survivors until they receive a court order, delaying life-saving treatment,” Malik points out. “Even when admitted, patients often face long waits and abrupt discontinuation of care.” This raises concerns about the existing laws designed to protect survivors and the reality they face when seeking medical attention.
The Social Stigma
Malik’s struggle extends beyond legal battles; she grapples with the stigma that follows her and other survivors. Recently, she was forced to relocate her foundation’s office due to unfounded fears from landlords regarding “bad luck” associated with acid attack survivors. “Many people don’t want to rent to us,” she laments. “We are treated like outcasts and face so many difficulties. Shouldn’t the government do more to prevent more people from suffering the same fate as us?”
Despite these challenges, Malik’s unwavering spirit and commitment to advocacy shine through. She continues to seek a space for survivors in society, demonstrating that her fight is not only for her own dignity but for the dignity of all survivors.
Why it Matters
The ongoing plight of acid attack survivors like Shaheen Malik highlights the urgent need for legislative and societal change. As these individuals seek justice and recognition, their stories reveal deep-rooted issues in both the legal framework and the societal attitudes towards victims of violence. Malik’s relentless advocacy serves as a beacon of hope, inspiring a broader conversation about women’s rights, safety, and the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to protect the most vulnerable in society. The call for justice is not just for the individuals affected but for a societal shift towards empathy, understanding, and action against gender-based violence.
