Rape Culture In India: Social Arrogance Normalizing Rape
Rape in India is a serious issue especially faced by women for centuries and it is continuing at an increasing rate today. Going back to the Indian longest epic Mahabharata, many people believe that, it all starts from the time when the protagonist of the epic ‘Draupadi’ was harassed in front of the kingdom, which was the price for winning the gambling. Women are objectified in different ways and are usually the victim of sexual assault, molestation, child sex abuse, marital rape, domestic violence or eve-teasing.
Today, the country is becoming such a pathetic place to live that every parent is haunted by the thought of whether the next day their daughter is safe or not. This fear compels them to keep their daughter in bondage. According to reports, every 15 minutes, there is an FIR against Rape and most of the cases go unreported. In other words, every 2 minutes, women become the victim of Rape and the criminal use to freely repeat the crime.
Nowadays, “Gang Rape” is becoming quite popular among criminals. In most cases, they rape a girl, destroy her internal organ, and kill her in a pathetic condition. Such a heartbreaking case of a girl named ‘Nirbhaya’ happened in December 2012 in the capital city of India which still makes us all cry and ask why society is ruining its moral values. Nirbhaya was just 23 years old when she was brutally beaten, raped several times in a running bus by an immature, uncivilized and uncultured part of society. They ruined her internal organs, inserted iron rod in her Vagina and kicked her and her friend out of the running bus. After a collective protest and demand from the entire nation, the government had to come up with amendments to the constitution. The changes actually did not work because with time they started fading leading to the increasing rate of Rape cases in the present time.
Again, another tear-jerking story about an adorable 8 year’s old little girl from the beautiful states of Jammu & Kashmir who might have never heard the word Rape. She uses to enjoy keeping herself busy by learning Alphabet, and playing most of the time, loved discovering new things and was the favourite in the family. January 2018 is a horrible day in history when she was kidnapped by six men who kept her in the local temple of Kathua (The Holiest and Purest place for Hindus). She was raped for seven days by groups of men, they used drugs to make her unconscious, and murdered her even after she died their sexual desire was not fulfilled so they continued to rape her dead body and then smashed her head with a stone. This brings in itself countless questions to the minds of Indian citizens ‘Who is responsible? What is the reason for the increasing rate of Rape? Where is the so-called safety for women? Whom to actually blame? Where has the humanity of mankind lost? Why is our government unable to stop such painful crimes? Etc.
Structure of Rape in India
In this regard, different people have different perception outreaching the mindset of people. Because of Rape, a women’s dignity becomes questionable in society making her life pathetic and horrible. Those victims who have gone through sexual harassment have to struggle with fear, guilt, depression, social stigma and suicidal action till the last breath of their life.
In states like Haryana, there exists the so-called tradition called ‘Honour Killing’ which makes people do incongruous things like killing their own family. Regressive outlooks towards women are rooted in India deeply in tradition and conservative culture, in which women are objectified as an object for sexual pleasure and reproduction. In this sense, honour has become a cheat code for men to dominate women in order to maintain their dignity. In an interview, a villager said; “The honour of the family lies in the girl. If a boy does some mischief, his family will scold him. If a girl does something, the entire family is brought into disrepute.” Youtube video ‘Rape is consensual’.
And here’s what a police official told us: “Both (rapist and victim) are to be blamed. Without knowing you, I can’t even talk to you. No one can do anything to you if one doesn’t know you. Without consent, no one can even talk to someone else. Will a girl speak to someone unless she consents to do so?” Youtube video ‘Rape is consensual’.
Every day, the first page of the newspaper contains a new Rape case. For the reader, it’s a piece of spicy news which is remembered by none the next day but for the victim, her life becomes hell. The government takes years just to punish the criminal and most criminals are left unpunished for the crime. This directly or indirectly encourages the criminals to do more crimes and they don’t even have the fear of being punished.
A woman is unsafe not only outside but also inside. Some issues are so cruel, brutal and inhumane that mankind has lost faith in humanity. Such as the case of an innocent little girl of five who was brutally raped by her neighbour which damaged her internal parts. Hundreds of cases like this appear, most of which go unreported.
What are the Reasons behind the increasing rate of Rape in India?
Social stigma in society is one of the most important reasons why the victim is blamed, wherein women are controlled in the name of ‘Izat’, where the girl’s concept is just ignored, where they make their own law, her choice is worthless and kept in extreme suppression. In 2013, Khap Panchayat ordered girls not to wear jeans because it’s a sign of welcoming Rape by wearing provocative clothes. Again the Sarva Khap Jat Panchayat suggested parents get their daughters married before 16 years, after which her husband is there for giving her sexual satisfaction. Such mentality and attitude towards women are indulged from childhood itself. In some cases, they pressurize the victim to marry the Rapist which indirectly encourages the criminals to commit more crimes.
Another important cause is the lethargic court system of our country. It is so painful that the persuasion rate is only 26% and most of which goes unreported. The incident of Nirvana has shaken the entire nation but the law and order remained the same, in fact, turned worst with time. Even after an aggressive protest and demand from Indian citizens on Nirvana’s case, still, the Rapist has not been given the death penalty. The absence of strict law in our country and the inability to execute the existing law, is creating a horrible scenario for women. Most part of the country is still unaware of the issue and has a misconception. Dearth or corruption of police officers and the lack of female constables in the police station because most girls hesitate to speak up freely in front of man constables.
How to curb this violence from grass root level? What needs to be done?
- The first is to change the social stigma and teach everyone to respect each other and provide equal rights irrespective of Gender.
- The law of our country should be strengthened to such an extent that no person dares to commit a crime.
- The death penalty should be imposed on rape accused.
- In every nook and corner of the public place must be provided with surveillance and vigilance.
- The court must execute and work at a fast pace giving no time for the criminal to bring excuses.
- All women should be given self-defence classes to fight against sexual harassment
- In every police station, there must be a women constable to handle the critical situation.
- Education should be given prior importance
- Instead of blaming the victim, fight to give her justice
- NGOs for women can help in curbing sexual violence and also change the psychological trauma of society. Also, create awareness regarding the issues in front of the masses.
Conclusion
When society’s mentality is changed and takes challenges to bring change to society collectively, rape will itself reduce. Women are to work together, contribute socially, economically and intellectually and live with a free mind, body and soul, not with fear in mind and heart. Instead of hesitating in the name of Izat, women must come forward and fight against this violence.
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