Porn Searches Linked To Kolkata Rape Victim Surge - Is India Desensitised To Sexual Violence?

After reading this headline, you might feel disgusted and disturbed, but tragically, this isn’t the first time we’ve seen such a pattern after a major rape case. Shockingly, Google Trends shows that these horrifying events consistently become top searches immediately after these shameful incidents, exposing a deeply unsettling reality.

India was recently rocked by the tragic rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor-trainee, discovered dead on August 9, 2024, in a lecture hall at R.G. Kar Medical College in Kolkata. The woman had been brutally raped, strangled and subjected to severe violence, with allegations pointing to Sanjay Roy and potentially others as the perpetrators.

Google Data Exposes Surge In Disturbing Porn Searches Linked To Kolkata Rape Case

The murder of the young doctor has sparked a powerful public response, with protests led by medical professionals and various organisations demanding systemic reforms to combat sexual violence against women. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) organised a national strike, pushing for enhanced safety measures for healthcare workers. The Supreme Court began hearings on August 20, questioning the authorities from the medical college and the state government. However, who will address the nation's moral decay, as evidenced by the disturbing trend of people searching for rape videos on Google and porn sites?

Yes, in the wake of nationwide protests demanding justice and enhanced protection for women, a deeply troubling trend has emerged online. Data from Google Trends reveals a disturbing spike in searches for terms related to the deceased and explicit content, following rumours that her assault may have been recorded. 

Searches including the woman’s name combined with "video" or "porn" have surged, mirroring a horrifying pattern seen in previous cases, such as the December 2019 case when a 26-year-old veterinary doctor was brutally gang-raped and murdered in Hyderabad, which also triggered a surge in similar disturbing searches. This alarming trend highlights a troubling aspect of the mindsets of people here and the exploitation surrounding such heinous crimes.

Is India Getting Desensitised To Sexual Violence Against Women?

It is profoundly disturbing to witness the chaos surrounding the recent tragedy. One day, social media is rife with fake accounts created in the victim’s name; the next day, influencers exploit her image for content. Then, rumours about a potential video of the crime emerged, and unsettlingly, searches for related keywords are already trending on Google and porn sites. It raises a troubling question: who is driving these searches and contributing to such trends? Because the other side of the country is protesting, posting heartfelt messages, and offering support, claiming not all men are the same. Who should one believe, and how can one trust these claims amidst such disturbing realities?

If people only feel moral outrage when the victim is someone close to them, like a sister, what does it say about our human decency and moral principles when the victim is a stranger?

It challenges us to reflect on the values we hold and the kind of society we are becoming. It forces us to confront the unsettling reality that, in our pursuit of justice and empathy, we must also address the pervasive issue of desensitisation and objectification that allows such tragedies to be turned into disturbing spectacles.

Views expressed are the author's own.