Calcutta HC Advises Adolescents on Protecting Dignity and Self-Worth
The Calcutta High Court recently issued guidance to adolescent boys and girls in a case involving a young boy sentenced to 20 years in prison for engaging in sexual relations with a minor.
While acquitting the appellant, the court acknowledged that the POCSO Act doesn’t consider consensual, non-exploitative sexual relations between 16-18-year-olds. The division bench of Justices Chitta Ranjan Dash and Partha Sarathi Sen cited the Mahabharata principle, “Dharmo Rakshyati Rakshyita” (one who protects the law is protected by the law).
The bench laid out specific duties for adolescents:
For Female Adolescents:
- Protect the integrity of their body.
- Protect their dignity and self-worth.
- Strive for overall development beyond gender barriers.
- Control sexual urges, as society often unfairly views women as losers in casual sexual encounters.
- Protect their autonomy and privacy.
For Male Adolescents:
- Respect the duties of young girls or women, including their self-worth, dignity, privacy, and bodily autonomy.
The court noted that while sexual urges in adolescents are normal, acting on these urges isn’t. It stressed the need for sexual education at home and in school, focusing on reproductive health and hygiene.
The court emphasized that sex should involve commitment and dedication. It is normal for adolescents to seek companionship with the opposite sex, but not to engage in casual sex. Adolescents should wait until they are self-reliant and economically independent.
The case, Probhat Purkait @ Provat v The State of West Bengal, highlights the court’s commitment to guiding adolescents toward a responsible and dignified approach to their sexual development.
