It is laudable that earlier this week the Supreme Court of India slammed the government for not being "serious" about framing a policy to curb the sale of acid in order to prevent acid attacks. India is among a handful of countries that witness a significant number of horrific acid attacks on women. In India nowadays acid attacks are a common tool of revenge. This is because there are many loopholes in our legal system and in the implementation of our laws. Acid attack cases, which often result in death, have caused fear and agony in the minds of young female college students, working women and their parents. The terrible physical and psychological state of the young victims and their families is unimaginable. The need of the hour is an immediate ban on the unlicensed, over-the-counter sale of acid. The government of India should implement new laws or amendments to deal with the criminal aspects of acid attacks. The federal and state governments should announce suitable schemes, adequate compensation to the victims for their treatment and rehabilitation and stringent punishment for the perpetrators of acid attacks. It is only through a revival of cultural values, moral regeneration, the strengthening of holistic education, and the use of publicity that a change can be made in society. These social evils and burning gender-sensitive issues must be dramatically minimized if not totally eradicated. It is time that society, more importantly the male members of society, played a more proactive role in ensuring the safety of women. Mir Gazanfar Ali Zaki, Jeddah
