What is happening in India? We almost on a daily basis read reports about rapes in the country. These rape cases appear to be symptomatic of a wider malaise in the Indian society. To address the situation, the authorities must carefully study the situation. The question that comes to one’s mind is: What is the reason behind a sudden spike in rape cases in India?
Perhaps due to the boom in electronic and social media such cases easily come to the fore. Still it is very important to get to the root of the problem. Should we blame the media and movies for screening sexually explicit material that is affecting behavioral patterns in India? I saw many comments on social media criticizing India and Indians, which is very sad. I am not an Indian but I can claim with full responsibility that India is not the only country where gender crimes are on the rise. It is high time that Indian social scientists and civil society sat together to study this trend. Without seriously studying the causes of this sudden hike, the situation cannot be effectively handled.
I personally feel that media has to be blamed for crimes against women. In today’s media, women are portrayed only as objects of desire. In the name of feminism, women are exploited to the fullest. This is not to say that women should remain confined to their homes. We must make efforts to change the image of women and to start campaigns stressing the need for respecting women. In addition to legislation, committees should be formed in areas where eve-teasing has become a norm. Such committees, comprising citizens, should liaise with the area police station and keep an eye on unscrupulous elements and take immediate action against people found teasing women. Although it is not such an easy task, we have to take small steps on an urgent basis to protect the womenfolk. — Lala, Jeddah
Rape cases in India
