The Unending Nightmare: Outcry Against India's Rape Epidemic

Jasleen Kaur

August 13, 2024

As I read about the brutal rape and murder of a 31-year-old female doctor in a Kolkata hospital, I feel a sickening mix of horror, anger, and fear. This isn't just another news story; it's a stark reminder of the grim reality faced by women in India every single day. As a woman and a mother, I'm terrified. How can I look my daughter in the eye and tell her she's safe when even hospitals aren't secure?

The cold, hard facts are chilling: 

According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), 31,677 rape cases were reported in India in 2021. That's an average of 86 rapes per day. But these official statistics likely vastly understate the true scope of the problem. As Phillips et al. (2015) point out in their systematic study of media coverage of rape in India, rape remains severely underreported due to social stigma and lack of faith in the justice system.

The Kolkata hospital case is particularly disturbing because it shatters the illusion of safety even in professional spaces. If a doctor can be attacked in her workplace, what hope is there for women in more vulnerable situations? This incident bears disturbing parallels to the infamous 2012 Delhi gang rape case, which sparked widespread protests and calls for reform. Yet over a decade later, women in India continue to face epidemic levels of sexual violence.

What's even more infuriating is society's response to these incidents. After every high-profile rape case, it's not the perpetrators who face restrictions – it's the victims and women in general. Parents tighten their control over daughters, limiting their freedom to leave the house or pursue opportunities. Curfews are imposed on women, not men. No one tells their sons, "You can't drink anymore" or "You can't go out at night because you might rape someone." Instead, it's women who bear the burden of fear and restricted freedom.

This twisted logic perfectly encapsulates the depth of patriarchal thinking in our society. Why is a woman's freedom curtailed when she's the victim? Why are we teaching our daughters to live in fear instead of teaching our sons to respect women? This approach not only fails to address the root cause of the problem but also perpetuates the cycle of oppression and gender inequality.

Bhattacharyya (2015) provides crucial insights into the spatial aspects of sexual assault against Indian women. Her research reveals that incidents of rape are highest in the north, followed by central, east and south India. This geographical distribution of violence reflects deeper societal issues that vary across regions but collectively contribute to a culture of violence against women.

The persistence of such horrific crimes forces us to confront uncomfortable questions about the root causes of sexual violence in Indian society. Sharma and Pardasani (2014) offer a multi-dimensional analysis that reveals a complex web of factors:

Patriarchal Social Structures: India's deeply patriarchal culture, which often views women as subordinate to men, creates an environment where violence against women is tacitly accepted. This systemic inequality leaves women vulnerable to abuse and, paradoxically, further restricts their freedoms in the name of protection.

Gender Inequality: Despite progress in some areas, Indian women continue to face severe disparities in education, economic opportunity, and social status compared to men. The declining sex ratio - from 962 females per 1000 males in 1901 to just 914 in 2011 - reflects the ongoing devaluation of women in society.

Cultural Attitudes Towards Sex: While India produced ancient texts like the Kama Sutra, contemporary Indian culture often treats sex as taboo. This paradoxical mix of repression and objectification creates unhealthy attitudes that can manifest as sexual violence.

Inadequate Law Enforcement: Despite stronger laws on paper, conviction rates for rape remain abysmally low. Police are often reluctant to file reports, victims face humiliation during trials, and cases drag on for years. This creates a culture of impunity for perpetrators.

Socioeconomic Factors: Rapid urbanization and migration have weakened traditional social controls in many communities. Economic stress and lack of opportunity may also contribute to antisocial behavior in some men.

Phillips et al. (2015) highlight how media coverage of high-profile rape cases can shape public perception and response. Their study found significant discrepancies in how different media outlets reported on the 2012 Delhi gang rape case, reflecting broader societal attitudes and biases. This inconsistent media portrayal can contribute to public confusion and hinder efforts to address the root causes of sexual violence.

The Kolkata hospital rape case highlights how even educated, professional women in ostensibly "safe" environments remain at risk. If a doctor can be attacked in her workplace, what hope is there for more vulnerable women? This speaks to the pervasiveness of rape culture in India - a set of beliefs that normalize sexual violence and blame victims.

As a mother, I find myself constantly on edge. I worry about my safety, about the safety of my friends and family, and most of all, about the future my daughter will inherit. Will she grow up in a world where she has to constantly look over her shoulder? Where her freedom is limited by the constant threat of violence? Where every time another woman is attacked, her own liberties are further restricted?

Sharma and Pardasani (2014) emphasize the need for a multi-dimensional response to this problem. They argue for comprehensive reforms in education, law enforcement, and cultural attitudes. But as a mother, I can't help but feel that change isn't coming fast enough.

To the politicians who offer condolences but no concrete action: Your words are hollow. We need systemic change, not empty platitudes.

To the police who often discourage women from filing reports: You are part of the problem. Your duty is to protect, not perpetuate injustice.

To the judges who ask why a victim didn't fight back harder: Shame on you. Your role is to deliver justice, not reinforce trauma.

To the parents who restrict their daughters' freedoms after every rape case: Your fear is understandable, but your actions perpetuate the problem. Teach your sons respect and accountability instead.

To the "good men" who stay silent: Your silence is complicity. Speak up, stand up, be the change.

And to my fellow women: We cannot stay quiet anymore. Our silence will not protect us. We must rage against this injustice, support each other, and demand better - for ourselves, for our daughters, for every woman who has ever felt afraid simply because she exists.

This is not the world I want my daughter to inherit. A world where she has to calculate the risks of every outing, where she has to view every man as a potential threat, where her dreams are constrained by the ever-present specter of violence.

We stand at a crossroads. One path leads to more of the same - more violence, more fear, more shattered lives, more restrictions on women's freedoms. The other path is harder, requiring us to confront uncomfortable truths about our society, our institutions, and ourselves. But it's the only path that leads to a future where women can truly be free.

I'm tired of being afraid. I'm tired of feeling helpless. I'm tired of reading about one rape after another, each more horrific than the last. I'm tired of seeing women's freedoms eroded in the name of protection.

This isn't just about women's safety. It's about the kind of society we want to live in. It's about the values we want to uphold. It's about basic human rights and dignity.

The rape epidemic in India is not just a women's issue. It's a human rights crisis. It's a reflection of our society's values and priorities. And it's high time we treated it with the urgency and seriousness it deserves.

This is my cry, my rage, my plea. For my daughter. For the Kolkata doctor. For every woman who has ever felt the paralyzing fear of walking alone at night. For every girl who has been told to limit her dreams for the sake of safety. For every woman whose freedom has been curtailed because of someone else's crime.

Enough is enough. The time for change is now. Because if not now, when? If not us, who?

Sources:

Bhattacharyya, R. (2015). Understanding the spatialities of sexual assault against Indian women in India. Gender, Place & Culture, 22(9), 1340-1356. 

National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). (2021). Crime in India 2021 Statistics. Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 

Phillips, M., Mostofian, F., Jetly, R., Puthukudy, N., Madden, K., & Bhandari, M. (2015). Media coverage of violence against women in India: a systematic study of a high profile rape case. BMC women's health, 15(1), 1-10.

Sharma, R. R., & Pardasani, R. (2014). The problem of rape in India: a multi-dimensional analysis. International Journal of Managing Projects in Business.

Sharma, R. R., & Mukherjee, S. (2012). Women in India: their odyssey towards equality. Diversity Quotas, Diverse Perspectives: The Case of Gender, 91-115.