The brutal rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl in Budgam is a stain on humanity. It is an assault on the innocence of childhood. It is a betrayal of the most fundamental duty of any society: to protect its children. The outrage and grief sweeping across Kashmir are a cry for justice that cannot and must not be ignored. This was not an accident. This was not a moment of rage. This was a calculated, heinous act of depravity against a child who had barely begun to live. The fact that her body was found barely 200 metres from her home makes it even more chilling. It tells us that evil can lurk closer than we dare to imagine. It tells us that no parent can feel safe until the perpetrators are caught and punished in a manner that serves as a deterrent for generations. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has assured that this heinous crime will not go unpunished. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has vowed exemplary punishment for the culprits. These assurances are necessary, but they are not enough. The people of Budgam, of Kashmir, and of India will judge the system not by its promises but by its actions. A Special Investigation Team has been constituted. The police have stated that prima facie it is a case of rape and murder. Now, the investigation must be swift, transparent, and relentless. Every possible angle must be examined. Every suspect must be questioned. And when the guilty are identified, they must be prosecuted in a fast-track court. There must be no delays, no technical loopholes, and no mercy for the merciless. The punishment must be exemplary, not because of public pressure, but because the crime demands it. This incident is also a moment of painful introspection for society. The police have also rightly warned against sharing the victim’s identity on social media. The law prohibits it, and the dignity of the deceased demands it. Let us also pray for the innocent soul. May she rest in peace. And may her family find the strength to endure this unbearable loss. But prayers alone are not justice. The system must deliver. The culprits must be caught. Kashmir will not tolerate such barbarism. We are watching. And we will not rest until justice is served.
Every society has people who are struggling — the poor, the sick, the orphan, the widow, the unemployed, the one who has lost everything. The question is not whether such people exist....
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