The Jaipur Home story : A reflection

Zephyr Ng *

While it has been reported widely in all the leading news papers on the issue of Grace Children home and Pastor Jacob John, it is also pertinent to understand the other side of the story as public opinion based on popular facts and evidences needs to have a more balanced view to merit the case.

In this case, the trauma and agony suffered by the victimized children when they went through medical examinations in Jaipur as well as in Ukhrul and being put up at a State arranged home after such harrowing incidents needs to be reflected more closely.

If it be my child, I would definitely feel a sense of tension, grief, apprehension and fear as to what would happen next to my child ?

As the confidence of the parents have been betrayed, neither the process nor procedures updated to the poor parents ! Moreover, the children themselves would feel a sense of insecurity, exploitations, uncertainty and anxiety in every beat of their hearts as they interact with total strangers day after day.

This makes me think, and asks, can we have a more humane approach to the case instead of rushing and politicizing the case at the expense of the victims and their poor parents ? Can we in fact respect the sentiments of the parents and the victimized children and follow a more humane way of investigation so that the rights and privacy of the victims are protected and respected ?

As for the case of Pastor Jacob John which is under investigation and the law will take its own course of action. However, a more disturbing fact and a matter which warrants a more close attention is the issue of "Child trafficking" slapped under Sec 370 (5) of the IPC. If this is true as being alleged, we as concerned members of the society need to enquire deeper and find out the real truth behind the allegation.

However, it is also equally a perplexing task to understand the complexity involved in such cases as its roots touch the very social and moral fabric of our society. It is even difficult to ascertain who is trafficked and who go on consensus or for that matter who are involved and for what benefit and understanding ?

The victims being at the lowest strata of our society are always at the receiving end both from the perpetrators and also from the moral guardians and societal law. Being a concerned member of the society and as the case warrants good judgment and justice, I am reflecting my own thoughts on the various loopholes that are rampant in our judicial system.

Would this case be also caught in the unending socio-political-legal battles that have no end and the end result being "Justice delayed and Justice Denied"? The ultimate victims being the poor and helpless parents and children or a scapegoat made to bear the burden of all the misadventure ?

It is in the earnest interest of the public and also for the interest of justice that the angle of child trafficking is thoroughly investigated by the concerned guardians of the society taking into account all the aspects involved. Could we take for example the poverty factor of the parents or the illiteracy ?

Can we also ascertain the angle and the role of the Church and village authority in this case ? Have we taken the parents, victims, people involved, village authority and Church elders into confidence and spoken to them without threats, coercion or pointing accusing fingers against them ?

I guess it is right time for the guardians of the society to probe the case and analyze the real facts and figures without pre-assumed conclusion or prejudices to any individual or organisations.

Or will it entangle itself in brickbats and politicize the whole issue? Depends on who really wants to know the real truth ! Is there anyone really interested ? Or is it just the comments and counter comments and our few minutes in limelight that is important ?

As a concerned reader and member of the society, my ultimate question to all the readers out there is: Does anyone know whether statements have been taken from the parents and the children? If yes, how was it taken ?

Does anyone know how the medical test procedure was done ? Is there any reaction/complaints from the children or parents ? Are their sentiments even considered ?

Do the parents sell the children out of poverty ? Or are the parents being persuaded ? Any credible evidence towards this ?

Were the Church elders and village leaders involved ? Or do they have any knowledge about the children being sent to Jaipur by any chance ?

What kind of benefits do the parents and children get when they are at Grace Home Jaipur ? Is there any case history on this aspect ?

Any response through this paper will be highly appreciated and will go a long way in helping the law to find justice as the case deserves it and prevent future cases of such magnitude.