Revenge On The Mind

Padma was returning home after completing her training. Lucky for her to get a home posting at the start of her buerocratic career. She would take up assignments as a junior officer in the block office in her home town Sanai. Her home town was a small one with a population of a few thousand. To get appointed in the government civil service was not anybody's cup of tea and Padma had shown what true grit is. She came from a very underprivileged background. Brought up by a single mother and that too who has a history of being abused in a domestic violence case. It has been a total uphill journey. In fact, this hardship has fueled Padma to do something worthwhile. To show the world that she can achieve something in life. The prime thought on her mind had been revenge. She wanted to avenge the wrongs done to her mother Shobha. Immediately after her birth, Padma and her mother Shobha had been thrown out of the house by her father Birsa Oraon. The offence was that Shobha had delivered a baby girl and not a boy. This was the third attempt by Birsa, as the earlier two also were girls and they all had been dumped. In their tribal society, it was of prime importance to have sons to facilitate ease of inheritance. 

Padma knew that in those days the society and the administration were not too serious about the condition of women in the society. The reason why they have been tormented. Times have changed. The role of women in society has undergone a radical transformation. There has been lately a women's body from the national level down to the village level to address the issues relating to the unlawful activities involving women. Padma knew that she had to do something constructive so that the poor, illiterate and gullible women do not suffer. The first official order that Padma did was to bring a women's commission office in Sanai. Because she wanted the law to take its course in the shameful activities of Birsa and other such offenders.

The hustle and bustle which Padma did about her work woke up the sleepy village town of Sanai. Birsa and people of his calibre were deeply worried. Birsa knew that Padma was his daughter but as he had not treated her kindly, she would also be seeking to embarrass him at any cost.

Birsa 's cases against women continued to build up. For the sake of male inheritance, Birsa had serially sired girl child with different women and he had dumped them all. So there was a rising case of domestic violence against him. He had not bothered to take care of any of the babies and their mothers. At the behest of Padma, the women's commission started their investigative work to build up a cognisable offence case against Birsa. No one till now had the gall to challenge him.

Birsa was not going to take it lying down. He didn't believe in the judiciary and depended more on his own instincts and his crude form of justice. He appointed a crack unit of lathi wielding youth also trained in firearms. They were always guarding him day night and if needed could declare war against the state to protect their master. There were some sympathisers from the polity and the Police, who were ready to douse the flames lit by Birsa and his men's immature steps.

Shobha, Padma's mother was very worried for her daughter. Shobha knew the diabolical mindset of Birsa and he could go to any length to have things go his way. She constantly advised the Padma to desist from taking any extreme step against her father Birsa. Because she was very afraid. But the Padma was determined to the core and meticulous to the hilt. She had poured over law books and knew how to tame the scoundrel. She had a mission on her hand and wanted to purge the society of such heinous anti-socials.

Finally, a case was made against Birsa and many wronged women were brought into the loop of law. Initially many were fearful to open up against Birsa fearing his wrath and after-effects. But the Padma constantly counselled them and a cognisable case was made ready to be tabled in front of a judge. Fortunately, a woman judge was given the charge to oversee the case. The police filed a charge sheet against Birsa and soon he was taken into custody.

The very next day Birsa 's men ambushed Padma's vehicle and took away her to an undisclosed destination. From there the captors started making phone calls and demanded the release of Birsa. Without his release, they warned that they would not hesitate to kill the Padma. Shobha was very worried. She sat at a' dharna 'at the collector's office. It was a serious matter. A government official had been taken hostage and her life was at constant risk.

Birsa' s lawyer's appealed for his bail. Twice his bail plea had been rejected, the reason that he may take flight and go underground. But now the case had turned into a flashpoint of sorts. Padma's safe release was now the prime worry point for the state.

Accidentally, the police stumbled onto the hideout where the Padma was held in captivity.

A posse of police led by not less than a DIG was targeting the culprits who had held the Padma. Just in the nick of time, Padma was rescued otherwise she was being slowly stripped to be raped by the scoundrels. The rascal was immediately shot at who later admitted to the hospital in a critical condition.

There was more drama in the offing. A high calibre team of lawyers were called to the prison by Birsa. Then he laid out a succession plan. His assets were equally distributed between his many wives and daughters including the Padma. After this gesture of generosity, Birsa applied for a general amnesty showing that he was heavily repentant for what all he had done. Then the court through the discussions held with the jury and the honourable judge passed a lighter sentence on Birsa who vowed before the law that he would never disrespect women. Finally, Shobha and Padma were united happily. The people of Sanai were now in full praise and gratitude for their brave girl Padma who had done a lot for the improvement of the women.