Delhi Cantt Horror: Rapes, Protests & Politics, Will things ever get better in India?
Delhi Cantt Horror: Why can’t all governments come together to address this horrendous crime that has become the reality of New India
Delhi Cantt Horror: Another month, another case, Rapes in India have become so common that it has stopped affecting us. Well, it might have stopped affecting us but the condition is becoming worse with each passing year. As the 75th Independence Day is approaching, we as a nation should think about the environment we are providing to our women. Be it the recent Goa case where two minor girls were raped on the beach, or Delhi Cantt horror, we have failed as a nation to address this horrendous crime that has become the reality of New India. As per the latest data released by National Crime Bureau, India recorded 88 cases every day in 2019. As per the annual report of NCRB titled –Crimes in India 2019, “Out of 32, 033 reported cases in the year, 11 per cent were from Dalit Community.”
The recent case in Delhi is grabbing attention from all across the nation. People are protesting and asking for justice. Notably, the nine–year–old girl died under suspicious circumstances and was allegedly cremated without the permission of the girl’s family. But is it the first case we are angry about or would it be the last one? We don’t know, right? There is a feeling of hopelessness.
Over the years, we have witnessed some of the most horrendous rapes in India. After Nirbhaya Case in 2012, we thought things would be better. Honestly, they have become worse. But the point is, is there no other solution? Teaching our daughters not go out when it’s dark to wearing the right clothes, is the only option left for us. Every Rape case in India sparks a debate, politicians give statements, they meet the victim’s family, blame each other – and we never reach a solution.
Talking about the violence against minor girls in India, the cases have increased in past few years. Apart from the Delhi Cantt rape case, a minor girl in Alwar, Rajasthan was gang-raped and was blackmailed for money. Notably, on August 8, 2021, two minor girls in Uttar Pradesh were raped in two different incidents. Recently, on August 1, 2021, a minor girl in Maharashtra was gang-raped by 6 men. Later, three were booked for the same. Well, these are just reported cases and there are many that go unreported.
Every year, we celebrate Independence Day with utmost zeal but have we ever thought – Hamari Desh Ki Betiyon Ko Kab Milegi Azadi? This is a question that, we think, nobody could answer. But we can definitely take a look at some of the important reasons behind it.
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First & most important – Sex Ratio in India
The sex ratio in India has always concerned experts. The obsession with having a male child has widely contributed to crime against women in India. The northern state Haryana which has the highest number of gang rapes in India has the worst sex ratio. An awful sex ratio imbalance has made these crimes common in India. The country sees 112 boys born for every 100 girls, which is against the natural sex ratio – 105 boys for every 100 girls. Minors are being targeted and this is quite disturbing. According to an article in BBC, India’s crime records show that reported rapes of minor children had doubled between the year 2012 – 2016. More than 40 per cent of rape victims in India were minors. However, the uptick could have something to do with better reporting of Media and Police after the horrific incident of 2012.
The Attitude of Politicians
Many politicians and even People of the country are not ready to believe that sexual violence is a serious problem and eating away India’s vital. Most of the Political Parties do not appear to recognize and treat it as a crippling societal crisis. There were several incidents when insensitive comments from politicians have shown their attitude towards the issue. Do you remember when Samajwadi Party leader, Mulayam Singh Yadav said, “Boys make mistakes and they shouldn’t be hung for this? We will change anti-rape laws.” Recently, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had to face a lot of backlash for his comments on the Goa Rape case – He said, “Parents should ask their daughter that what they were doing on the beach the whole night.”
Conclusion
Keeping the current scenario in mind, all the governments should come together to address this issue. Be it the ruling party, opposition, social activists and even the common public, we should understand the gravity of the situation. Freedom of any nation relies on how free the women of that country are. As Nelson Mandela once said, “Freedom cannot be achieved unless women have been emancipated from all kinds of oppression.”
