A video of US President Donald Trump and Melania Trump is going viral on social media, showing Trump publicly making his wife uncomfortable by touching her back, prompting Melania to shove his hand away. While this might be considered a simple altercation in the US, in India, such actions are reminiscent of the landmark case of Rupan Deol Bajaj vs. KPS Gill, which provides for punishment for publicly insulting a woman's modesty.
Washington: US President Trump's personal life has been the butt of jokes on many occasions. This time, when he arrived to welcome the British Royal couple with his wife Melania Trump, a similar incident occurred again. There were several moments that seemed to indicate that Trump made his wife feel uncomfortable in front of everyone, with Melania herself seen shaking off Trump's hand. While in America, this might be dismissed as just an 'awkward moment', in India, such actions can land any man behind bars. The 'Rupan Deol Bajaj vs KPS Gill' case is a prime example of how strict Indian law is regarding the dignity and respect of women.
Trump-Melania's 'uncomfortable' video?
Trump and his wife, Melania, arrived for a photoshoot with King Charles and his wife, Camilla. During this, an awkward moment between Trump and Melania was revealed to the world, and a video of it has also surfaced. In the video, Trump attempts to extend his hand, but Melania, uncomfortably, shakes it off. Trump extends his hand again on stage.
Not only is this, on another occasion in the video, Trump seen touching Melania's back in a public space. If any influential person in India were to behave like Trump, they would be reminded of the Rupen Deol Bajaj case. This case is a milestone in the history of Indian law.
What was that incident that happened in India?
In 1988, KPS Gill, then the Director General of Police (DGP) of Punjab, behaved indecently towards senior IAS officer Rupan Deol Bajaj at a party. Rupan Deol didn't dismiss it as a minor incident. She considered it an attack on her dignity and a woman's modesty. She filed a case against her husband for this act.
Which sections were imposed for hurting the dignity of the wife?
After years of struggle, the Supreme Court recognized that publicly making a woman uncomfortable or touching her inappropriately is a crime. Gill was convicted under sections 354 and 509 of the Indian Penal Code. The accused husband was subsequently sentenced to three months in prison and ordered to pay 2 lakh rupees in compensation. However, Rupan refused to accept the compensation.
Trump's actions and Indian law
According to the Indian Penal Code, Trump's actions fall under the following sections:
- Section 509 (insulting the modesty): Using words, gestures or doing any act that insults the modesty of a woman and makes her uncomfortable or embarrassed in public is an offence under this section.
- Mental cruelty (Section 498A): If a husband repeatedly humiliates his wife in public or causes her mental stress, he can go to jail.
PC: Hindi News 18
