In a harrowing incident from Gerita village in Mehsana district, Gujarat, a 28-year-old woman was forced by her sister-in-law and two others to dip her hand in boiling oil as a ‘test of fidelity.’ The woman, mother of two and married for 13 years, suffered severe burns on her arm and leg.

She was reportedly beaten and threatened for refusing before being pushed into the hot oil vessel. Police have registered an FIR against the accused for assault, criminal intimidation, and causing grievous hurt under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. An investigation is ongoing.

Cruel “Test of Fidelity” and Abuse Unfolded

According to the FIR and the victim’s statement, the sister-in-law continuously suspected the woman’s faithfulness and hatched a plan to force her to “prove” her purity. The accused heated oil and demanded the victim dip her hand into it, threatening severe consequences if she refused. After the woman initially resisted and was beaten, she was pushed into the boiling oil, causing painful burns.

The sister-in-law also poured hot oil on the victim’s leg and threatened to kill her if she screamed. Neighbours and the victim’s father came to her rescue upon hearing her cries and took her to a private hospital, where she is currently undergoing treatment.

Wider Context of Gender-Based Violence and Law Enforcement

This brutal incident sheds light on the ongoing issue of violence against women under the guise of regressive customs. Though outlawed, such traditional ‘purity tests’ persist in some rural pockets, subjecting women to severe physical and psychological trauma. Authorities are increasingly vigilant, with the Vijapur police quickly acting on the complaint and filing charges that include grievous hurt and criminal intimidation.

Police are currently collecting witness statements and pursuing the accused, who remain at large. Activists and social workers urge for stronger awareness campaigns, quicker responses, and community engagement to break cycles of domestic abuse and patriarchal control.

The Logical Indian’s Perspective

The barbaric act of forcing a woman to undergo such a torturous ordeal is emblematic of deep-rooted patriarchal oppression and harmful cultural practices. It highlights the urgent need for collective efforts, from government, civil society, and everyday citizens, to educate, empower, and protect women’s rights and bodies.

Protecting women with kindness, empathy, and justice requires dismantling regressive traditions and promoting gender equality.