If Khairlanji is to be a much required wake-up call, the Indian government needs, first of all, to implement the Atrocities Act and Rules in letter and spirit. States must necessarily set up special courts in every district, appoint special public prosecutors and try every case with the seriousness it deserves. This would include protecting witnesses and victims, and ensuring that they are provided with the resources to follow up on their cases. There must be specially constituted vigilance and monitoring committees with dalit representation at every level. Training needs to be imparted to officials and the police to enforce the Act. Copies of the Act should be prominently displayed in every local government office and police station, and schoolchildren need to be taught about the legal safeguards.

The country seems to have forgotten the beast. Khairlanji has come as a reminder that it is alive and roaring. We need to rediscover the will to fight it.