13) GANG RAPE STORY SHOULD STIR CLASS AND CASTE DEBATE IN INDIA
By Gurpreet Singh
The outrage caused by the recent gang rape of a 23‑year‑old student in Delhi should also stir a class and caste debate within Indian society. The victim was not only raped in a bus but also beaten by the assailants. She succumbed to her injuries at a Singapore hospital where she was shifted amidst violent protests that rocked the Indian capital.
The anger was partially caused by the fact that Delhi has witnessed over 500 rapes since last year, earning it a reputation as a capital of rapes. While this outrage and subsequent activism are justified, poor and so-called "low caste" women continue to suffer sexual violence almost every day in rural and tribal India, outside the urban and fortified setting of Delhi and other big cities. It's very rare to see outrage over the rapes of such women in Indian society, which largely claims to be puritan and ethical in character. The stories of rapes involving poor women during recent weeks did not gain a matching attention.
While Indians (particularly Hindus) revere goddesses, other religious groups like Sikhs claim themselves to be the protectors of the modesty of women.
The sexual violence against women from the marginalized sections of society goes on in spite of the fact that India has been led by a female Prime Minister, the late Indira Gandhi, and its first woman President, Pratibha Patil. Several provinces have also been led by female politicians at different times.
Following the Delhi incident, some prominent female politicians broke down in tears while debating in parliament. But this will not end the vulnerability of women, especially those who come from the weaker sections. Obviously, poor women in a class and caste based society become double victims when a sexual crime is committed against them. In many instances, political goons and security officials have committed sexual crimes against them with impunity.
The Delhi incident that captured international media attention has reopened an unwanted debate on capital punishment, with some suggesting the death sentence to rapists. However, this would encourage a rapist to murder the victim to destroy evidence. In fact, Indian society and the justice system need to provide moral support to the victims of sexual violence, instead of protecting the perpetrators.
Often the victims of rape are harassed by the police and the courts, discouraging them to testify against the offender. A case in point is that of a 17‑year‑old Dalit rape victim in Punjab state who recently committed suicide after being harassed by the police. Apparently, the police were not taking action against the culprit. Instead the victim was accused of concocting a story of rape.
Such is the plight of victims of sexual violence in an orthodox male-dominated Indian society. Instead of comforting the victims, the system tries to protect the perpetrators. The grievance of rape victims should be heard passionately by the police and the courts, instead of putting the onus to prove the crime on them.
But what can one expect from an establishment whose lawmakers are either accused of such crimes or shamelessly make sexist remarks by blaming the victims? A Hindu right-wing BJP Party legislator recently went to the extent of suggesting a ban on skirts in schools to save girls from potential molesters, while a minister belonging to the Congress party cautioned women not to take public transport at night. Instead of shedding tears, the least women politicians can do is to make such male chauvinist politicians accountable, and try to bring the rapists enjoying state patronage to book.
(The above article is from the January 1-31, 2013, issue of People's Voice, Canada's leading communist newspaper. Articles can be reprinted free if the source is credited. Subscription rates in Canada: $30/year, or $15 low income rate; for U.S. readers - $45 US per year; other overseas readers - $45 US or $50 CDN per year. Send to People's Voice, c/o PV Business Manager, 706 Clark Drive, Vancouver, BC, V5L 3J1.)