News reports from Madhya Pradesh (MP) paint a disturbing picture of violence stemming from the harassment of women, with brothers taking the law into their own hands. These incidents, while varying in detail, share a common thread of men resorting to deadly force against those who allegedly harassed their sisters.

One such incident occurred in Harda, where a 22-year-old man, Jitendra Damade, was stabbed to death by five members of a family after he objected to one of them harassing his sister. According to police reports, the victim's sister had been receiving unwanted messages on her mobile phone from the main accused. When Damade confronted the accused and asked him to stop, it led to a fatal confrontation. The accused, along with his two brothers and parents, were arrested and charged with murder.

In another instance, an 18-year-old Dalit youth was allegedly beaten to death by upper-caste men in Sagar district for protesting against his sister's sexual harassment. This incident is further complicated by the subsequent death of the sister, who reportedly fell from an ambulance carrying her uncle's body. The family alleges that the accused had been pressuring them to withdraw the sexual harassment case filed in 2019. Prior to her death, the woman's uncle was also beaten to death, allegedly due to the same pressure to compromise.

These cases highlight a troubling trend of men feeling compelled to take violent action to protect their sisters from harassment. In many of these instances, the victims or their families had previously sought legal recourse, filing complaints of sexual harassment or molestation. However, the slow pace of justice and the alleged pressure from the accused to withdraw the cases may have contributed to the escalation of violence.

The incidents have sparked outrage and protests, with opposition parties accusing the ruling government of being anti-Dalit and demanding action against those responsible. Concerns have also been raised about the safety and security of women, particularly those from marginalized communities, who are often vulnerable to harassment and violence. These incidents highlight the urgent need for effective measures to prevent harassment, ensure swift justice, and protect victims and their families from further harm.