The Witty Stride

There is a darker side to every seemingly thriving civilization. Western media worldwide admire Indian culture for its rich ancient traditions, yoga, and cultural diversity. We also have a darker side. In the last decade or so, the fragile, morally superior Indian culture has been blatantly exposed by the rampant exhibition of atrocities towards females and children. In other words, India has become the rape capital of the World.

According to the data of the National Crime Records Bureau(NCRB), on average, 86 rape cases occur in India daily. And, of course, these are the cases reported to the Police. The unofficial number of rape cases is staggeringly high. Rape victims are scared of retaliation and social backlash from family and relatives. They also have little confidence in the judicial system. The economic situation and caste also play significant roles in the widespread persistence of this act. Indian men are labeled as lustful rapists worldwide, and partly, it’s true. It seems unappealing to many native readers, but the article aims to convey the truth. The people committing such heinous crimes need to be called out. They are making the wrong impression on all Indian men.

The recent blatant case of demonic, inhuman crime by one such person in R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata has woken up the sleeping Indian souls who have normalized the rape counts in India. It’s deplorable to see a young soul, a doctor( a life-giver), lose her life to this egregious act of a cowardly and lustful person. The point is that the rape and molestation cases are so high that in the mainstream media and newspapers, it has become so common that people are taking it casually, as if it’s a daily incident. The eve-teasing cases are so rampant that the normalization of harassment against women has become an Indian norm. It’s the rape culture that is spreading all over India.

After the 2012 Nirbhaya case, many sensible citizens thought enough was enough. After a long march of candlelight vigils, many believed change was imminent. Massive protests took place across India. Many thought the dark phase of women’s safety was finally over. From here on, everything would be all right. But the delusion is gone by now. Countless girls, ladies, and babies have fallen victim to gruesome cases. These cases are not even fathomable. They are not discussed or researched. What went wrong?

A few noteworthy points in this regard warrant discussion. The lack of sex education in schools and colleges is a significant issue. There are no lessons on self-control. The patriarchal mentality favors the male gender. Sons are given all the freedom without accountability. Kids are not taught how to behave respectfully with girls. They are also not taught about the sensitive touch. All these factors are the primary causes of this significant issue. The male ego and abusive sexual content on the Internet, and free access to porn, have worsened the situation. Such is the trend that nowadays, school kids aged 9-10 are becoming rapists. Any girl is a friend, a sister, a lover, or a mother. But not an object that can be used for instant gratification and later stashed away like nothing. Professionals can better elucidate the other psychological and mental aspects of this sensitive topic.

The Indian judiciary system is so insensitive and ineffective that the chances of getting justice in such cases are almost negligible. The trials of rape cases in the media and court are so embarrassing that people get frustrated by the delayed process and give up. Instant karma, in the case of the Hyderabad case, where the cops killed the rapists in the encounter, is very rare. Demanding capital punishment for rapists and amending the law for that is sadly a daydream, as nearly 100+ cases have been registered against the sitting MPs and MLAs in India. The prospect of justice from these so-called politicians is negligible. Take the example of the women wrestlers vs. Brijbhushan case and the naked parading of two women in Manipur. Unjustified acts have become a new norm as long as political propaganda supports the criminals. Now, Politics is played everywhere over rape, sadly, rather than addressing the problem on a grassroots level. The media also play the role of milking out the issue in terms of TRPs, as humanity and empathy are on the verge of extinction.

The rape incidents have become a tool to play the political blame game between the ruling and the opposition parties. Everyone is ready to blame the other without taking accountability. It’s a deplorable, freaking circus!

Considering the rising number of cases of rape, the only practical solution is to educate girls/ladies/kids on self-defense rigorously. It’s a necessity now. Pepper spray, miniature knives, and other self-defense items are now a must-have for women; cosmetics can wait. Connecting to the local or nearby Police at the touch of a button is essential. It is also crucial to contact people you know to ensure their safety during emergencies. These are features that an Indian woman must incorporate into their psyche. Read the room, the new mantra for women to stay safe.

The protests against capital punishment are justified, as they will set a benchmark for future cases. Still, the most effective solution to the problem is to prevent these cases from occurring. Be human first to help any woman in distress or need. The thought process is that this is a stranger; why should I help her? It should be avoided and trashed. If the crowd pledges to protect women rather than remain bystanders, the number of cases will decrease drastically. It takes guts to do the right thing at the right time. It’s easy to express condolences after an incident. The main thing is to prevent the heinous crime in the first place.

The notion is that nothing will happen to the culprit. People believe that the crime will slip away from public memory after a considerable time. This belief is the main point that the rapists are using to their advantage. Society and life will move on. No one will respond to any past untoward incident. This is the most pathetic self-assurance the future rapists have in our Indian rape culture. A few will post on social media. They will share stories and protest with a candle march on the streets. A few will question the authorities through the media, including TV and online platforms.

Eventually, the noise will cease. Again, the rapists will emerge from their hideouts and seek the next prey. This vicious cycle recurs in India.

Any sensible person reading this should have empathy and humanity in their heart. Please take the following steps to create a better future for our women and the next generation.:

• Focus on women’s safety within the household or the society in which you live. It’s a must-do thing now. Help any lady in danger, irrespective of your acquaintances!
• Teach self-control to adolescents, children, and older adults. Discuss porn addiction and vulgar, abusive content on mobile phones or streaming services. Educate yourself to become a law-abiding gentleman.
• Empathize with all these cases with an open heart without any biasness or political affiliations.
• Policymakers can surely make amendments to bring capital punishment for rapists with proven records. Of course, stringent laws should be followed to establish the accused’s guilt. There are chances that the law can be used to settle scores with fake rape cases. That’s why proper verification is required.
• Rape victims need proper counseling. They also require financial assistance and a secure pathway to reintegration into mainstream society. This support helps heal their physical and psychological scars.
• And last thing- the families stop protecting the characterless rapist son/husband of yours for the sake of family prestige. Many families try to keep the incident behind closed doors if any family member or relative is involved. It is the great Indian culture we live in. Crimes are hidden behind closed doors. People smile falsely in public, presenting themselves as a happy family forever. They do this for prestige.

The Indian Rape culture should be stopped at the earliest. Punishing the culprits and setting an example for future generations is a vital concern for policymakers. Not all men are rapists, nor support the violence against women. Humanity still exists. We should trust one another to bring goodness in times of crisis. We should also guarantee justice during dark phases like these. This Durga Puja, Maa may give all the strength to the womenfolk to fight this evil in society! To sum up, enough is enough. This subversive rape subculture that’s polluting our great Indian culture should stop right away.