Juvenile Delinquency On the Rise

What is juvenile delinquency? When juveniles are found guilty of crimes but their age does not allow them to be prosecuted normally as adults would. In simpler words, when minors condone or commit illegal activities, these kinds of crimes are known as juvenile crimes. In most countries the legal age/age of maturity is 18 years, below which a criminal or legal offender is tagged as a juvenile delinquent. India is no exception, where teens below 18 are treated and prosecuted as minors. The unfortunate tale of India though, is that this concept has been gaining popularity immensely due to the excess number of minors involved in not only petty but heinous crimes as well. The Nirbahaya gang-rape case of Delhi is one such example of how twisted a young mind can be. The juvenile aged 17 was found guilty 9 months after the crime transpired and was sentenced to 3 years in a correctional home. The legal system faced a similar scenario during the Mumbai Shakti Mills gang rape case where a minor was involved in raping a 22 year old photojournalist. There was also a separate case where another minor was charged with raping an 18 year old at the same site in the past. Three years in a reform school was adjudged the punishment.

A survey by leading newspaper editorial Hindustan Times found 66% of juvenile crimes were being committed by teens aged 16-18. The recently passed winter bill of the Rajya Sabha directed the law system of India to treat minors aged 16-18 as adults for heinous crimes. (Juvenile Justice Care and Protection of Children Act) The Bill was put to good execution when the murder of 16 year old Radhu Nana Palia in Madhya Pradesh by minors over a meager 500 bucks came to light. The accused were first sent to a correction home where they were declared physically and mentally fit. The verdict then lay into the hands of the local court. They were sentenced to lifetime imprisonment as the sessions court observed the crime to be heinous in nature and the charged minors mature enough to be aware of their deeds while committing the crime.

India is in a phase where population rise is causing majority of the problems. Population increase leads to lack of jobs. Lack of jobs in turn leads to poor house conditions and environments in many poor and lower middle class families. The young generation of today desires a quick buck with little or no effort. When your home feels like a mess and you are depressed often, your brain entangles itself in a web of negative thoughts. Money seems to be the only solution to any and every problem. When minors witness domestic violence and child abuse it impacts their brain negatively. The angst and the depression in some cases lead to twisted thoughts and fantasies. Instead of asking “How much hard should I wok to achieve what I desire?” the question asked becomes “What can be the easiest way to achieve what I desire?” When maturity isn’t developed, the answers obtained often lead to a disastrous aftermath if one goes through with the plan. Crimes like chain snatching, burglary, murders, and rapes are on the rise by minors as a result of this very mentality. Moreover modernization has birthed violent depictions in games and movies. These kinds of representations often confuse the young minds over the difference between reality and virtuality.

The concepts of the Indian Society and its orthodox attitude are also to blame. It is preposterous that we criticize women for their attires instead of educating men on looking up to a woman. It is also senseless to criticize someone for spending a hefty amount of their hard earned money where they desire just because it might get the wrong kind of attention and make them victims to burglary, murders and kidnappings.

Minors need to be educated in schools and at homes about the aftermath of the crimes, how they affect the criminal and his/her family and friends as well as what perils the victims face. The increase in adulterated thoughts needs to be curbed and the young need to be guided into the right direction. While the government has decided to treat minors aged 16-18 years as adults, there are still children under 16 who commit crimes. Every execution of a minor (16-18) should set an example, every sentence should both instill fear and awareness in the young minds. Only then will the future of India follow the path of light. This task is up to parents and school teachers - to sow the seeds of not just education but also morale values so as to give birth to a future without criminals.