Sat Mar 15 16:29:05 UTC 2025: **Kolkata Conference Demands Stricter Acid Sale Regulations in West Bengal**
KOLKATA, March 15, 2025 – Acid attack survivors and activists in West Bengal are demanding stricter regulations on the over-the-counter sale of acid following a conference organized by the Brave Souls Foundation in Kolkata last month. The state has consistently reported the highest number of acid attacks in India since 2018.
Participants, including survivors, advocates, doctors, social workers, and policymakers, highlighted the ease with which acid can be purchased, despite Supreme Court guidelines prohibiting over-the-counter sales unless a detailed log of purchases is maintained. These guidelines also empower Sub-Divisional Magistrates to confiscate undeclared stock and impose fines up to ₹50,000.
However, Shaheen Malik of the Brave Souls Foundation, citing an RTI application, claimed that implementation of these guidelines is severely lacking. She further advocated for a complete ban on acid sales, comparing its accessibility to that of firearms. Malik attributed the high number of attacks in West Bengal to both patriarchal norms and the lax enforcement of existing regulations. She noted reports from survivors of acid sellers openly soliciting sales in residential areas.
Several parliamentarians echoed these concerns. Rajya Sabha MP Nadimul Haque (Trinamool Congress) called for increased police oversight of acid sellers, along with enhanced training and sensitization of law enforcement towards survivors, and recommended a minimum compensation of ₹50 lakh for each victim. Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh (Aam Aadmi Party) pledged to raise the issue in Parliament.
Professor Shikha Sarkar, a former member of the State Women’s Commission, criticized both the police and the Commission for their failure to crack down on unregulated acid sales. Social worker Swati Chatterjee pointed out the lack of enforcement of existing regulations, particularly in areas with significant metallurgy and jewelry-making activities. She also noted that despite numerous recommendations to the government, little progress has been made.
Survivors also detailed difficulties accessing mandated free medical treatment, citing lack of awareness among medical professionals regarding the Supreme Court mandate. Dr. Anupam Golash, a reconstructive plastic surgeon, confirmed the confusion surrounding the scope of free medical care for acid attack survivors. The conference served as a platform to amplify the voices of survivors and advocate for comprehensive changes to curb the readily available nature of acid and its devastating consequences.
First Piper 