Outrage Over Rape: Is India's Moral Awakening Short-Spanned?

As I scroll through endless stream of news articles and social media stories on the recent rape case in Bengal, I can't help but experience a sense of deja vu. It's as if I’ve seen this before, with the same fury, protests, and calls for justice. However, ironically as my friend's experience demonstrates, even these protests can become empty rituals and mere formalities to get college attendance rather than drive real change. 

The Outrage Over Rape: Short-Lived Much?

How many of you remember or have seen this kind of “scripted mobilisation” for the Unnao rape case, the rape of a Dalit nurse or the Moradabad rape case? Was the rape of Nirbhaya or the recent Bengal Case the first of its kind that took place in India? Rape and murder in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, is only the tip of the iceberg of endemic caste violence against Dalit women in India. The Bengal case is not an isolated incident; it is part of a larger pattern of sexual violence that disproportionately affects marginalized communities. The perpetrators of marginalised cases have often said in interviews, “Neeche jaat ki thi, rape kar diya toh kya hua.” 

We as privileged individuals fail even to realise how these mobilisations themselves represent a form of class and caste differences.

Yet, as we have seen repeatedly, this outrage often follows a predictable script and comes out as a new season of a web series with fresh episodes and plot. The demonstrations gather strength in the early aftermath of the crime, with demands for prompt justice and legislation. However, as time passes and media attention wanes, momentum fades away, and the core concerns remain unsolved. 

That’s not it! 

India, a deeply religious country, has seen the rise of self-styled 'godmen' who often become embroiled in controversies surrounding serious allegations, including murder, sexual abuse, and rape. 

Asaram Bapu and Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh (The irony highlights, despite having "Ram" in his name, which is a revered name in Hinduism, he has been accused of the most heinous crimes against women), two self-styled godmen in India, have been convicted of rape and are currently serving prison sentences. Asaram Bapu was found guilty of raping a 16-year-old girl at his ashram in Jodhpur in 2013. He is also facing charges in another case where two sisters from Gujarat accused him and his son Narayan Sai of sexually assaulting them between 2001 and 2006. Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the chief of the Dera Sacha Sauda sect, was convicted in 2017 for raping two of his female disciples. 

These incidents demonstrate religious personalities' exploitation and abuse of power, as they use their followers, particularly women and children, for sexual fulfilment. The delay in justice and pressure on the victims' relatives to drop their lawsuits demonstrate the godmen's power. The anger in these situations has frequently been muted or selective. This selective anger shows the complex interplay between religion, caste, and power in Indian culture.

Why societal views have a huge impact on rape conviction rates

Moreover, societal views have a huge impact on rape conviction rates throughout India's various socioeconomic groups. Preconceived beliefs about gender roles and victim conduct frequently influence public perception and court decisions. For example, common rape myths, such as the assumption that women encourage attacks by their dress or conduct, can lead to victim blaming and scepticism of survivors' stories, especially among lower socioeconomic groups where traditional values may be more ingrained.

In cultures with strong patriarchal norms, the stigma linked to victims might discourage them from reporting occurrences for fear of social ostracism or scepticism by authorities. This societal shame grows worse in marginalized groups, where victims may feel a greater obligation to keep silent owing to cultural norms and the fear of future persecution.

As we come together to protest amid the Koljata rape-murder case, we must address the root causes of privilege, power, and oppression that have defined the landscape of sexual assault in India. 

We must question the episodic character of anger and the selective implementation of moral norms to create a more just and equal society. Only by acknowledging the deep-seated inequalities that exist within our society and taking concrete steps to address them can we truly hope to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future. The echoes of Bengal will resound until we respond to the demand for change and fight to create a more equitable and compassionate world.

Views expressed are the author's own. 

Authored by Sanjana Sinha, PurpleBlue House