Centre, Delhi Govt React to The Quint’s Chhoti Nirbhaya Campaign

The central and Delhi governments have promised to help four-year-old rape survivor Chhoti Nirbhaya.

The spot at N-86 slum in Keshav Puram, Delhi where the child was raped. (Photo: The Quint)

Following The Quint’s nearly month-long fundraising campaign for Chhoti Nirbhaya, the four-year-old rape survivor, the Delhi government and the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development have promised to aid the victim’s family.

Chhoti Nirbhaya was brutally raped by a person known to her family on October 9. She has undergone several surgeries in Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital. According to the family, although the four-year-old has survived, doctors say she will never be able to conceive a child.

Chhoti Nirbhaya’s father and grandfather are daily wagers who earn just enough to feed a family of nine. As the family is financially weak, they had been running from pillar to post to get some help from the government. The Delhi government has finally reacted to The Quint’s reports and has instructed the State Social Welfare Department to look into Chhoti Nirbhaya’s case and assist her family at the earliest.

<p>The medical condition of the child appears to be very serious. Hence, we have referred the matter to the Social Welfare Department to get a complete report on her health and also a report on the financial condition of the family.</p>

<p><b>Spokesperson, Delhi Government</b></p>

At the very least, Chhoti Nirbhaya’s family hopes the government can provide the funds for her education so that the four-year-old can lead a dignified life as she grows up.

A senior official in the Ministry of Women and Child Development has also promised The Quint that the ministry will try to help Chhoti Nirbhaya.

<p>We don’t have money for such cases, which is very unfortunate but we will try to arrange money for the child and her family from PM Funds.</p>

<p><b>Senior Officer, Ministry of Women and Child Development.</b></p>

Chhoti Nirbhaya’s physical trauma is similar to that of Nirbhaya, the 16 December rape victim who succumbed to her injuries. Nirbhaya’s parents, too, have come forward to appeal for help for Chhoti Nirbhaya.

When the incident occurred, senior Aam Aadmi Party leaders Sanjay Pandey and Sanjay Singh, as well as the Chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women, Swati Maliwal, had visited the victim in the hospital. In fact, Maliwal tweeted ‘horrific’ after seeing the child. The media too covered the story extensively over the first few days. But what is surprising and shameful is that no one bothered to check up on the child again.

Yet, The Quint remains committed to its campaign for Chhoti Nirbhaya.

The Quint in association with BitGiving has started a campaign to generate funds for Choti Nirbhaya. To help her, click here.