Pistol shooter Manu Bhaker will be honoured with the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award, the highest sporting honour in India, on January 17. At the Paris Olympics 2024, Manu Bhaker made history by becoming the only Indian to win two medals at a single Olympic Games. Twelve days after Manu Bhaker won two bronze medals in 10m air pistol event at Paris, a young doctor was tragically raped and murdered in Kolkata while trying to rest after long hours of duty.

Imagine if Dr. Abhaya had learned pistol shooting like Manu Bhaker and carried a revolver in her purse. Would anyone have dared to harm her? Manu Bhaker’s story is not just one of sporting excellence – it carries a powerful message that calls for a shift towards self-empowerment and protection. It is a message that must be heard and acted upon. Crimes, often committed in mere minutes, do not afford victims the luxury of making calls to helplines. Even if called, police cannot appear instantly. This harsh truth highlights the need for individuals, especially women, to be empowered to be equipped with the means to defend themselves. Applying for a gun license under the Arms Act of 1959 and the Arms Rules of 2016 is a statutory right for selfdefence.

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However, India’s strict legal procedures on gun ownership make obtaining a license a complex process, often involving extensive background checks, references and delays. The U.S. Second Amendment, which grants citizens the right to keep and bear arms, has been upheld as a fundamental individual right. While this right is not explicitly listed in the Indian Constitution, the right to self-defence, as guaranteed by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, implicitly acknowledges the need for citizens to possess arms. S.35 of the Sanhita assures every person has the right of private defence of body. S.38 extends the right of private defence “to the voluntary causing of death or of any other harm to the assailant” to defend against “an assault with the intention of committing rape”.

The Ordnance Factory in Kanpur developed a lightweight revolver designed for women. Known as “Nidar” this handgun was pitched as the country’s first gun for women, offering a robust and handy selfdefence weapon. (0.22″ Revolver Nidar is priced at Rs. 49,500 and 0.32″ Revolver Nishank at Rs. 79,750; both can be ordered online at https://ddpdoo.gov.in/product/products/product-details/0-22- revolver-nidar ) Civilians should attend ‘firearms training’ offered by state police academies. Mysuru City Civilian Rifle Association, a unit of the Mysuru city police can be cited as a best practice. Apart from basics of firearm safety, this training can also facilitate a career in sports, if started early. Manu Bhaker started shooting at the age of 14 when she joined a shooting range in her village in Haryana.

Breaking away from a victim mindset involves shifting from helplessness to empowerment. How many women carry pepper spray, a simple yet effective tool for selfdefence and personal security? Armed self-defence training can be a powerful tool in this shift, providing women with the means to protect themselves and reclaim their sense of security. Cultivating the belief that women can defend themselves is crucial to fostering attitude change. Even if only a few women actually carry firearms, the mere possibility of it can instil a chilling deterrent effect among criminals. The police cannot bear the entire burden of protecting every individual, 24X7. Instead, they should adopt proactive measures to impart armed self-defence training to women, sending a strong message to criminals.

The Union Home Ministry may consider an advisory to states to implement such training programmes prioritising medical professionals. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, during the debate on the Arms Act in 1959, argued that the right to bear arms is an inviolable and sacred right of every free citizen. Atal ji’s demand for ‘responsible gun ownership’ resonates today as we confront crimes that often shock “the conscience of the Nation.” In the tragic case of the Kolkata doctor and in many such cases, it was reported that the accused was addicted to pornography, a factor often linked to crimes against women. India should consider at least a temporary ban on pornography, introducing comprehensive sex education that emphasizes respect, consent, and healthy relationships. This twopronged approach could reduce the demand for exploitative content while promoting responsible behaviour.

Countries like China and the United Arab Emirates have implemented strict bans on pornography and are known for being among the safest countries for women and children. In China, parents feel secured about their children’s safety, while women in the UAE report feeling safe walking alone in the city even at night. Recently launched National Narcotics Helpline ‘MANAS’, allows citizens to anonymously share information on drug trafficking. ‘MANAS’ (Madak Padarth Nishedh Asuchna Kendra) includes toll-free number 1933, a web portal and a mobile app. ‘Manas’ collects personal information, but assures that “the identity of the informer will be kept secret”.

This facility of anonymous reporting helpline may be established in respect of other crimes also. ‘Crime Stoppers’, run by collaboration between police and civil society, where citizens can provide information about crimes or suspects anonymously through phone calls, online forms or mobile apps. Many people, even if they know critical information about a crime, are scared to talk directly with police, worried about standing as a witness, or concerned about their safety. Crime Stoppers protect anonymity of the person reporting suspected criminal activity. Crime Stoppers helplines do not provide for caller number display and never trace a call. After receiving the call or a completed anonymous online form, they create a report that brings together all the information, making sure it does not contain any information that could identify the caller.

The report is then sent to the relevant authority with the legal responsibility to investigate crimes, such as police or customs. Crime Stoppers was first founded in the US, in 1976 (1-800-222-TIPS); later, the UK (0800 555 111), Australia (1800 333 000) and South Africa (08600 10111) have adapted. UK Crime Stoppers, since its inception in 1995, is reported to have received over 2.2 million actionable calls, has been responsible for more than 151,000 people being arrested and charged with a crime, for over £367 million worth of illegal drugs being seized.

The latest National Crimes Records Bureau (NCRB) Report (2022) reveals over 58 lakh cognizable crimes, including 1200 crimes against women and 445 against children per day, highlighting the urgent need for Crime Stoppers in India. The tragic case of Dr. Abhaya highlights the need for women to be empowered with armed self-defense skills. Training programmes, like those at police academies, can equip individuals for protection and sporting achievements, as seen with Manu Bhaker. Moving away from a victim mentality requires a transformation from vulnerability to empowerment.

(The writer is a transparency and equality advocate and author. Views expressed are personal.)