India's Biggest Injustice: The Epidemic of Violence Against Women

Aug 16, 2024

Disclaimer: The information found within this article can be triggering.

India is a land of unparalleled wonders—its rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and vibrant traditions create a tapestry of beauty and diversity. Yet, behind this facade lies a grim and harrowing reality marred by deep-seated violence against women, including the horrific abuses of child rape and domestic violence. These issues are often swept under the rug, and shockingly, some who speak on these matters seem to endorse or perpetuate the very violence they should be condemning.

This is Om Prakash Chautala, widely known as O.P. Chautala, a former Chief Minister of Haryana from the Indian National Lok Dal. His outrageous statement, suggesting that ‘child marriage is a solution to rape and other atrocities against women,’ is not just offensive but a grotesque reflection of a regressive and deeply flawed ideology. Chautala’s remarks are not merely an affront to the dignity of women and children; they are a callous endorsement of practices that perpetuate violence and oppression. His position as a political figure amplifies the danger of his words, potentially shaping public opinion and policy in ways that are both harmful and deplorable.

Why This Ideology is Absolutely Despicable

Victim-Blaming:
Chautala's statement essentially blames the victims for the violence inflicted upon them. By suggesting that child marriage is the solution, he is not addressing the root cause—the perpetrators of rape and abuse. Instead, he is shifting the burden onto young girls, advocating for their early marriage as a means to ‘protect’ them. This horrifying logic not only ignores the real issue but also condemns victims to a life devoid of their childhood and autonomy.

Perpetuation of Child Marriage:
Child marriage is a brutal violation of human rights. It deprives young girls of their childhood, education, and future, often leading to early pregnancies that endanger both the mother and child’s health. Chautala’s endorsement of this practice supports a cycle of poverty and dependence that traps girls in a life of inequality. His ideology not only fails to address gender inequality but actively perpetuates it, denying girls the opportunity to live their lives with dignity and freedom.

Historical Distortion:
Chautala’s attempt to justify child marriage by referencing the Mughal era is a gross distortion of history. While it is true that some families may have married off their daughters early due to societal fears and instability, this was a reflection of a lack of protection rather than a practice to be emulated. Chautala's use of historical distortion to justify modern-day child marriage disregards centuries of progress in women’s rights and fails to acknowledge the evolving cultural and social contexts.

Undermining Legal Protections:
India has made significant strides in protecting children from harmful practices with laws like the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006. Chautala’s promotion of child marriage as a solution undermines these legal protections and encourages violations of young girls' rights. As a political leader, his endorsement of such regressive practices threatens to erode the hard-won legal standards designed to safeguard children.

Cultural and Patriarchal Reinforcement:
Chautala’s ideology is steeped in patriarchal beliefs that view women as property needing protection through restrictive practices like child marriage. This mindset reduces women to mere objects of control, reinforcing the notion that their worth lies in their chastity and obedience rather than their individuality and potential. Such beliefs are antithetical to the principles of gender equality and women’s empowerment, perpetuating a cycle of oppression that needs to be broken.

Unfortunately, there are more powerful individuals in India who have such horrific mindsets Here are some notable examples:

1. Mohanrao Bhagwat (RSS Chief) - January 2013

Remarks: Mohanrao Bhagwat, the chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), an influential right-wing Hindu nationalist organization closely associated with the ruling BJP, made a controversial statement saying, “Such crimes [rape] hardly take place in ‘Bharat’ (rural India), but they occur frequently in ‘India’ (urban India).”
Criticism: His remarks were widely criticized for suggesting that sexual violence is a problem specific to urban areas and for implying that traditional, rural Indian values somehow prevent rape. This statement ignores the prevalence of rape in rural areas, where many cases go unreported due to fear, social stigma, and lack of legal access.

2. Mulayam Singh Yadav (Samajwadi Party Leader) - April 2014

Remarks: Mulayam Singh Yadav, a prominent Indian politician, sparked outrage by saying, “Boys will be boys… they commit mistakes,” while addressing a rally about a case where men were sentenced to death for gang rape.
Criticism: Yadav’s comment trivialized the crime of rape, portraying it as a mere “mistake” rather than a serious violation of human rights. His remarks were condemned for perpetuating rape culture and for suggesting that men should not be held fully accountable for such heinous crimes.

3. Babulal Gaur (Former Madhya Pradesh Home Minister) - June 2014

Remarks: Babulal Gaur, then Home Minister of Madhya Pradesh and a BJP member, stated that rape is “sometimes right, sometimes wrong,” and added that it depends on the situation and consent.
Criticism: These comments were highly irresponsible and dangerous, as they appeared to downplay the severity of rape. Gaur’s remarks were criticized for being deeply insensitive and for potentially justifying rape under certain circumstances.

4. Manohar Lal Khattar (Chief Minister of Haryana) - November 2018

Remarks: Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, from the BJP, said that “most of the rape cases and molestation cases are an outcome of consensual sex gone wrong.”
Criticism: This statement was seen as an attempt to blame victims and trivialize rape cases. It perpetuates the dangerous myth that many rape allegations are false or are simply misunderstandings of consensual encounters. Khattar’s comments were widely condemned for being insensitive and for undermining the seriousness of sexual violence.

5. Surendra Singh (BJP MLA) - September 2020

Remarks: Surendra Singh, a BJP MLA from Uttar Pradesh, made a statement that “rapes can be stopped only if parents teach their daughters good values.”
Criticism: This remark was condemned for placing the responsibility of preventing rape on women and their upbringing, rather than on the perpetrators. It reflects a patriarchal mindset that blames victims rather than addressing the behavior of those who commit the crime.

7. Media Coverage

Examples: Some Indian news channels have also been criticized for their sensationalist and insensitive coverage of rape cases. In particular, the coverage often focuses on the victim’s character or behavior rather than on the crime and the need for justice. For instance, certain media outlets have been known to question what the victim was wearing, where they were, or why they were out at a certain time, rather than focusing on the accountability of the perpetrators.

These examples goes to show how normalised rape is is India and how politicians, voted in by the people supports this ideology. This does not mean that every Indian condones such horrific acts, but there are just too many cases where the system fails, making it clear that change is desperately needed.

The Bitter Truth Behind Modi’s Women’s Safety Rhetoric: A Nation in Crisis:

Under Modi’s rule, the horrific rise in sexual violence and the systemic failures to address it paint a bleak picture of women's safety in India. The staggering increase in reported rape cases from 428,278 in 2021 to 445,858 in 2022 highlights a crisis that the government’s policies and rhetoric have failed to mitigate. Despite the high-profile ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ scheme, which was meant to promote girl child welfare, the harsh reality is that this program has become a symbol of the government's disregard for genuine protection and support for women. Critics argue that it has instead become a cruel joke, reflecting the government's failure to address the deep-seated issues plaguing women’s safety.

Victim Blaming and Government Denial

Smriti Irani, heading the Ministry for Women and Child Development, has repeatedly lashed out at victims of sexual violence, accusing them of defaming the government rather than providing support. This blatant victim-blaming reflects a broader trend within the Modi administration of dismissing and discrediting those who speak out against sexual violence, thus failing to provide justice or relief for survivors.

The Role of Patriarchy and Caste Discrimination

The BJP’s entrenched patriarchal values and upper-caste biases have exacerbated the violence against marginalized communities. The appalling case of the Dalit girl from Hathras, whose brutal gang rape by upper-caste Thakur men was met with police cover-up and destruction of evidence, exemplifies the systemic injustice that underpins the BJP's governance. Similarly, the treatment of Muslim women under BJP rule, including the online auctioning of their profiles and the state-sanctioned release of rapists in the Bilkis Bano case, underscores the government's deep-seated misogyny and disregard for the rights of minority women.

Systemic Injustice and Legal Failures

The rise in sexual violence despite stringent laws following the Nirbhaya case illustrates the failure of the legal system to protect women effectively. The increase in rape cases, along with the mistreatment of survivors by law enforcement, points to a crisis of justice where legal reforms have not translated into real protection or support for victims. The shocking statistics and the continued exploitation of minors and women in prostitution further highlight the severity of this systemic failure.

A Fractured Justice System

The Modi government’s focus on surface-level policies and its disregard for the systemic issues driving violence against women reveal a deep disconnect between rhetoric and reality. The government's attempts to control the narrative and silence critics, combined with the rise in violence and legal shortcomings, paint a grim picture of the state of women’s safety in India. This situation demands not only immediate action but also a fundamental shift in how the government addresses and prioritizes women's rights and safety.

Systemic Abuse of Minors in India

In India, the harrowing reality of child sexual violence is starkly evident through data revealing that over 7,200 minors are raped each year, translating to an alarming rate of 1.6 in 100,000. This figure, though shocking, only scratches the surface of a deeper crisis where reporting these heinous crimes often leads to further victimization. Survivors frequently face brutal mistreatment and humiliation by police, who are supposed to be protectors of justice. The grim reality extends to trafficking, where minor girls are coerced into prostitution, perpetuating a cycle of abuse and suffering that often lasts a lifetime. India’s abysmal ranking as the 7th worst country for sex trafficking and crimes against minors, as reported by Maplecroft, underscores a critical failure in both legal protection and societal response, painting a disturbing picture of systemic neglect and entrenched abuse.

Below are additional images highlighting the horror of rape in India:

The Legal and Social Dynamics of Marrying the Rapist

In India, the practice of compelling rape survivors to marry their rapists is deeply entrenched in both legal precedents and societal norms. This phenomenon often emerges from the intersection of caste, class, and gender biases, which shape judicial and community responses to rape cases. For instance, the case of Robin Vadakkumchery, a convicted rapist seeking bail to marry his victim, illustrates a troubling trend where the judicial system inadvertently supports such settlements. Despite the lack of legal basis for marrying one’s rapist as a form of "punishment" or redemption, courts have sometimes facilitated or condoned these arrangements. This is partly due to the stigmatization of rape survivors and societal pressures to restore perceived 'honor' through marriage. Critics argue that these practices undermine the severity of the crime and perpetuate a cycle of injustice, as the accused can evade appropriate punishment while the survivor is left in a compromised situation.

The Impact on Rape Survivors and Systemic Failures

The practice of marrying the rapist has severe consequences for survivors, often leading to further victimization and loss of agency. Survivors pressured into such marriages face ongoing trauma and social stigma, compounded by the lack of adequate support systems. The case of the Delhi survivor who was coerced into marrying her rapist under duress exemplifies how survivors are often manipulated into such arrangements by both their families and the legal system. The legal framework and societal attitudes in India fail to adequately address or prevent these coerced marriages. Many survivors find themselves trapped in abusive relationships or abandoned post-marriage, with limited recourse for justice. Systemic failures include inadequate oversight of such cases by courts and the absence of robust support mechanisms for survivors, highlighting a need for comprehensive legal reforms and increased awareness to safeguard the rights and dignity of rape survivors.

India’s Endless Nightmare: Thousands Protest Yet Another Horrific Rape and Murder

In a nation already drowning in the horror of sexual violence, the brutal rape and murder of a junior doctor in Kolkata has ignited a firestorm of rage. Thousands of women flooded the streets on Wednesday night, their voices piercing the silence that too often surrounds these crimes. The 31-year-old doctor, assaulted in the supposed safety of her workplace, is just the latest in a relentless string of victims, her life violently stolen during a break from her grueling shift. The marchers, weaving through the heart of the city, demanded justice and a shred of safety in a country where the system continually fails its women. The scale of this violence is beyond comprehension, and yet, it persists, tearing apart lives and communities, while those in power too often turn a blind eye. How many more lives must be lost before the outrage turns into real, systemic change?

Many might wonder how the legal system in India continues to fail in preventing injustices like the one mentioned above. The answer lies in the fact that some laws simply aren't strong enough to deter such horrific acts. For example:

The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 was designed to provide comprehensive legal safeguards for children against sexual abuse. While the Act was robust on paper, there have been instances and challenges in its implementation. Here are some areas where discrepancies or challenges have been observed:

1. Timely Recording of Evidence

Act: The Act mandates that the evidence of the child be recorded within 30 days and that the trial be completed within one year.
Inconsistency: In practice, delays in the judicial process are common. Many cases extend beyond the prescribed timelines due to administrative delays, shortage of special courts, and procedural inefficiencies.

2. Child-Friendly Procedures

Act: The Act prescribes child-friendly procedures such as recording statements at the child's residence or ensuring the presence of a trusted adult during medical examinations.
Inconsistency: Implementation issues arise, such as improper handling of sensitive cases by authorities, inadequate training for police officers, and lack of adherence to child-friendly practices in some instances.

3. Special Courts for Trial

Act: The Act provides for the establishment of Special Courts to handle POCSO cases with child-friendly procedures.
Inconsistency: There are not enough Special Courts in many regions, leading to delays and inadequate handling of cases. The infrastructure and resources for these courts may also be lacking in some areas.

4. Privacy and Media Reporting

Act: The Act bars media from disclosing the identity of the child without court permission and imposes penalties for breaches.
Inconsistency: Despite these provisions, there have been instances of media outlets disclosing identities of victims, leading to breaches of privacy and further trauma for the survivors.

5. Awareness and Implementation

Act: The Act mandates awareness campaigns and the duty of governments to spread information about the Act.
Inconsistency: Awareness campaigns are often insufficiently executed, leading to a lack of understanding of the Act among the general public and even among law enforcement officers.

6. Reporting and Accountability

Act: It mandates mandatory reporting of offenses and punishment for failure to report.
Inconsistency: In practice, there are cases where failure to report is not adequately penalized, and some offenses go unreported or are inadequately followed up.

Examples of Challenges in Real Life:

Delayed Trials: Numerous cases see extended delays due to logistical issues, resulting in prolonged trauma for victims.
Inadequate Child Protection: Some areas lack proper facilities and trained personnel to handle sensitive cases, affecting the implementation of child-friendly procedures.
Media Violations: Instances of media breaches regarding victim identities have occurred, despite legal restrictions.

These inconsistencies highlight the gap between the provisions of the POCSO Act and its real-world implementation. Addressing these issues requires improved infrastructure, better training, and stricter enforcement of the Act’s provisions.

India faces profound challenges, from its deeply flawed rape laws to the disturbing reality of powerful figures who support and promote child rape. But in the face of this darkness, there is a growing wave of voices speaking out against these injustices. People across the nation have taken to social media, refusing to be silent, refusing to accept the status quo. This collective outcry is more than just a protest—it's a demand for change, a call for a future where justice prevails. The road ahead is long, and the fight is far from over, but as more people unite in this struggle, hope shines through. The question now is not if change will come, but when.