The Aruna Shanbaug case has highlighted many deep flaws in Indian society. First, hardly anyone has acknowledged the fact that Shanbaug was, in fact, a whistle blower. Nobody has celebrated her courage and martyrdom for a higher cause; she is seen mainly as a rape victim.

The former KEM Hospital nurse died earlier this week, after 42 years in a vegetative state. Her fellow nurse, Pratibha Prabhu, told DNA, "She used to complain against Class IV workers who did not do their jobs well. She always said that they must be held accountable," adding that Shanbaug's complaints had made one of the ward boys vengeful — and she paid for it with her life. Shanbaug died fighting for a larger cause-accountability to patients by Class IV workers.

Second, there was no FIR for rape. Ward boy Sohanlal Walmiki raped and sodomised her, and strangled her with a dog chain, leaving her permanently in a vegetative state. After serving two seven-year concurrent sentences for attempt to murder and robbery, he walked free. Although it was a case of brutal sexual assault at the workplace, none of Shanbaug's doctor or nurse friends filed an FIR for rape. Pinki Virani, author of Aruna's Story — who moved the Supreme Court, making a case for euthanasia —wrote, "I asked all the doctors and nurses to at least come file an FIR. They all refused. Finally, a police officer agreed." The policeman filed an FIR — apparently brave enough, when those closest to her would not-but his charges left out rape, sodomy and molestation, and instead, he went after the earrings and assault.


Aruna Shanbaug died after being in coma for 42 years at KEM Hospital on May 18. File pic