RAPE CULTURE IN INDIA
INTRODUCTION
RAPE is an offence that was first introduced in India under
the Indian Penal Code 1860 within the ambit of section 375. The section made
punishable the act of sexual intercourse by a man with a woman if it was done against
her will or without her consent[1].
Rape culture in India is a culture in which rape and sexual violence have been
normalized due to the actions, reactions, thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs of
the people in the society. Using slurs, victim-blaming, victimization, making
rape jokes, and what not is simultaneously faced by women in India. Sentences
like 'boys will be boys', 'women should stay at home' as well as women being
generalized with no doubt support the rape culture in India.
RAPE CULTURE-A THREAT TO WOMEN
The rape culture enforces the removal of the monopoly that a woman has on her own body. The acts of groping, sexual harassment at workplaces as well as public places, sending uninvited photographs of one's private parts, molestation as well as stalking and using slurs like 'men will be men' results in the degradation of woman and promotion of rape culture. According to Government Data, nearly four women are raped per hour in this country. Many come out and fight for themselves, many hide in the blanket of shame while some die because of the mental trauma they face. It would be safe to say that in India rape is used as a political tool as came out in the Kathua rape case[2] where an eight-year-old girl belonging to a Muslim family was raped and killed to create and instill fear among the minority communities in India. The investigation showed that the accused had a lot to do with her belonging to a Muslim family and their communal hatred[3]. It was not just the case of gender violence but communal violence as well.
On one hand, where the rape culture is used as a political
tool it is also fuelled by the Indian media somehow. Be it the misogynist
songs, problematic lyrics, objectifying of women, the glamorization of assault,
slut-shaming, etc., everything is promoted and put on media which are
distorting thoughts and the minds of people. The patriarchy of India puts rape
in the boundaries of the intersectional and systematic biases of the society.
The communities which have been historically marginalized or discriminated
against due to their race, caste, disability, etc., are becoming the prey of
sexual violence as a tool of persecution. Rape culture for these communities
has been placed within the power[4]
dynamics and social hierarchies. Experts say that the patriarchy in India has
given a “second-class” status to women. Many Human Rights Activists also put
forward their views on India, as the most dangerous country for women, they
also say that rape in India is not just a legal issue as its social aspect is
unavoidable. In India, children of almost every family at a very young age
internalize that a girl’s opinion is not that important as of a boy. The girls
are taught to be tolerant and subservient from the beginning which also
provides a base to rape culture to prevail in India[5].
CONCLUSION
Even after various protests, increasing education, awareness against rape, this culture has been normalized nowadays in India. Most of the girls don't come out with these types of things that they face because they know they are to be blamed anyhow, and even if a girl comes out and expresses, they are told not to speak up because what will this so-called "society" think of them. Since birth, a girl child is taught to be subservient and expected not to question whatever is said which has become one of the most important reasons for the prevailing rape culture. Many articles have been already published saying that we should teach our son how to behave and respect girls but still nothing has changed. The thoughts and beliefs of this patriarchal society still lay behind. Women who first become the victim of rape and assault tend to become the victim of honor killing, after. Men in this country have raped eight-month-old babies as well as 100-year-old women. It is a rape culture, in which women are told how to dress to avoid trouble, harassment, and slut-shame which clearly shows normalizing ravening behavior of "men" of the society. To change this, people must divert their attention from women to the real problem i.e., men. Also, the Government of India must take strict steps for the protection of women and make stricter laws for the same.
[1]
https://indiankanoon.org/doc/623254/
[2] https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/rape-political-tool-india-180419091411624.html
[3] https://www.firstpost.com/india/kathua-rape-and-murder-case-full-text-of-chargesheet-filed-by-jammu-and-kashmir-police-4426853.html
[4] https://feminisminindia.com/2020/05/04/infographic-rape-culture/
[5] https://www.dw.com/en/what-is-behind-indias-rape-problem/a-51739350
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