Written by: Sarah Vasan , B.A.LL.B(2nd Year) , Lovely Professional University
If you blame the rape victim for wearing provocative clothing. You must also blame the bank that was looted for its inflammatory content.
Over the last decade, India has witnessed an alarming increase in the number of heinous crimes, including rape and murder. These atrocious acts have not only outraged the nation's conscience, but have also highlighted long-standing flaws in India's criminal justice system and cultural attitudes toward women. Among the various examples that have shocked the nation, the 'Nirbhaya' case and the latest 'RG Kar Medical College' event stand out, emphasizing the critical need for systemic change and increased societal awareness. The 'Nirbhaya' case, which took place on December 16, 2012, in Delhi, is possibly the most infamous case of gang rape and murder in modern Indian history. A 23-year-old physiotherapy student, then known as "Nirbhaya" in the media to protect her identity, was viciously assaulted by six men on a moving bus. The barbarity of the murder, which involved severe physical and sexual violence, resulted in her death two weeks later, provoking worldwide protests and calls for justice. The case also highlighted the obvious inadequacies in the Indian legal system, specifically the delay in justice delivery. Despite the fast-track court's 2013 ruling, those convicted were executed nearly seven years later, raising concerns about the deterrent effect of the justice system.
Women are regularly questioned about what they wear and how it may show indicators of being raped. Is it reasonable to state that we live in a sophisticated society that not only oppresses but also objectifies women? In the recent incident at RG Kar Medical College, a female post graduate medical student and to emphasis a 31 year old doctor on duty was allegedly raped and murdered on the college premises, a place that should have been a safe space for her. Was the outfit still in question?It is just another horrible example of sexual violence that recently shook the state of West Bengal. It demonstrates that sexual violence in India is not limited to a single region or society; it is widespread. It highlights flaws in security procedures at educational institutions, which are supposed to be sanctuary of study and safety. Ultimately, it highlights the barriers that victims and their families face in seeking justice, ranging from cultural stigma to the slow pace of court proceedings.
"We must reject the idea that women should be questioned on why they were raped. The only question that matters is why someone chose to commit rape." Women battling against such sexual terrorism are not victims for courageously exposing their stories; rather, they are survivors who are lighting the world on fire with their truth. We must convey a message to the world that being a survivor of sexual violence is not a disgrace. The shame is on the the perpetrator.
A rise in rape and murder cases in India, as demonstrated by the Nirbhaya case and RG Kar Medical College instances, necessitates immediate action on numerous fronts. While the legal system has made gains in addressing these crimes, more work must to be done to guarantee that justice is served quickly and that such instances do not recur in the future. The fight against sexual assault in India is far from finished, and it will take the combined efforts of the government, civil society, and each individual to build a safer and more just society for everyone.
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