July 19, 2023 – It was a prosperous year for many people but saddening for the Singh family. On this very day, a short circuit ignited a fire in an Indian Army ammunition dump at Siachen. Capt. Anshuman Singh reflected on his courage to save his fellow soldiers trapped in a fibreglass hut, but it is disheartening that he himself caught in the fire and lost his life. In his attempt to retrieve life-saving medicine stored inside, he suffered severe burns, causing his death.
The heroic sacrifice
Capt. Anshuman Singh, hailed from a small village and the Deoria district, Uttar Pradesh. He joined the Army five years back, and he was commissioned into the Army Medical Corps in 2020. On his tragic demise, the entire nation is disheartened for losing such dedicated army officers.
Heroism Honored
In light of his bravery, and in a solemn ceremony, President Draupadi Murmu posthumously awarded the Kirti Chakra to Capt. Anshuman Singh, on July 5, 2024 (in Rashtrapati Bhavan). The award is India’s second-highest gallantry honour and was received by his widow, Smriti Singh and mother, Manju Singh.
The heart-wrenching moment was amplified by a viral video on social media platforms where Smriti Singh recounted her love story with Anshuman Singh, their plans for the future, along the profound loss she feels. She remembered their 8-year long-distance relationship that began in college and the joy they found in a small time of 6 months as a married couple. Her poignant words captured the nation’s attention, which portrays the deep personal sacrifices behind the valour recognized by receiving the award.
A shadow of insulting comments online
The Singh family mourns losing a son, a husband and a dedicated officer in the army, Anshuman Singh. The family’s grief has been multiplied by a wave of obscene comments on social media. Smriti Singh, the wife, is witnessing derogatory comments from the Indian public, which cannot even be pronounced. People like Ahmad K and Abdul horribly commented on Smriti Singh being a young widow. Another person named @rajeevpareek3195 on social media has given an abusive response on receiving the gallantry award.
NCW has recently taken suo motu cognisance over a lewd remark made on widow of Kirti Chakra Captain Anshuman Singh. Delhi Police has registered An FIR in the matter.@DCPDwarka
— NCW (@NCWIndia) July 13, 2024What legal and solidarity actions are taken over?
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has identified the derogatory comments made by these individuals on photos of Smriti Singh, receiving the award. This allegedly violates Section 69 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and Section 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The Constitutional and legal safeguards for women condemn immediate action against this behaviour.
National Commission for Women (NCW) has identified a lewd and derogatory comment made by Ahmad K. from Delhi on a photo of a Kirt Chakra Captain Anshuman Singh's widow. This act violates Section 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Section 67 of the Information Technology… pic.twitter.com/h2zvqfKGgy
— NCW (@NCWIndia) July 8, 2024As a form of action, Delhi police filed an FIR over lewd comments, which Capt. Anshuman Singh’s widow is facing. The Delhi Police filed an FIR against an individual who resides in the capital city, Delhi, for posting informal and insulting comments online regarding the wife. The case was filed under these Sections pertaining to insults to the modesty of a woman and also dealing with the transmission of obscene material in electric form. Different YouTubers and media outlets have also reacted to the insulting comment given by @rajeevpareek3195. In his words, “She’s the widow of a Martyr & look at the mentality of Sanatani Rajeev Pareek”. He also added, saying, “I’m speechless.”
How common is harassment and molestation in India?
Negative and biased comments seem to be normal to some people. As per the reports, in 2023, India recorded rape and attempted to rape complaints at 1,537. In 2024, a Spanish couple visited India, coming across Pakistan and Bangladesh. In their visit to Dumka, Jharkhand, the lady, Fernanda, was gang raped by seven people and her partner was terribly beaten by the group, snatching all the essentials that they brought along their way.
A similar incident happened with General Bipin Rawat in his tragic plane crash (Mi-17V5 Helicopter) in Coonoor City. This 63-year-old General, his wife, Madhulika Rawat, along with 11 others lost their lives on the spot. But people made fun of their tragedy, giving funny reactions on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. As a form of action, the judicial system in India requires more rigidity and promptness to stop such incidents.
@reshsebu got hate comments for thinking of her as Captain Anshuman’s wife, Smriti Singh.
