India’s Struggle with Rape Culture: Beyond the Statistics to Social Change

Rape is one of the most common crimes in India. I remember reading the newspaper during my childhood and how often there was a mention of rape or sexual violence against women. To this date, such news seems to be tragically consistent. According to the data compiled by Statista, an online platform that specializes in data gathering, and the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), an Indian government agency responsible for collecting and analyzing crime data, reported rape cases in India have shown a long-term increase, from 22,172 in 2010 to over 31,000 in 2021. These figures, however, only represent the reported cases. It must be noted that most of the sexual violence goes unreported in India. Although an exact number is debatable due to the extent of sexual violence in India, the experts believe the number of unreported cases to be more than 90%. One can only guess the numbers, when there are other forms of sexual violence and harassment that women experience. India's justice system has also been failing the victims. In 2022, there were 198,285 cases of rape awaiting trial. By the end of the year, only 18,517 had been completed, CNN reported. That's over 90% cases still pending. Moreover, conviction rates for rape were low, ranging between 27%-28% from 2018-2022, according to NCRB data.

The increasing brutality is harrowing. Yet, the public debate still echoes the same limited solution: implement harsher punishments for the perpetrators—to even the extent of capital murder. This narrow focus deviates from a more crucial question regarding the underlying societal and cultural factors influencing such crimes.

The "Entitlement" Mindset

Sexual assaults aren't driven by lust alone; they're rooted in a deep sense of entitlement. It's the belief that a man has a right to a woman's body—a toxic behavior often learned within their families or social circles. The notion is that, whatever emotions and feelings a man is experiencing, he has every right to enact those against a woman. Often this stems from the 'boys will be boys' culture, where boys are not only unrestrained but encouraged to showcase their 'boyhood' openly. This behavior then continues in their adulthood.

Growing up in a very conservative community, I have noticed patterns where even in the childhood boys have engaged in behaviors where it was socially okay to catcall or harass women. In some worst cases though, even touching inappropriately was seen as an acceptable act to teach women a lesson. This idea is rooted in a combination of hate for women and entitlement, which perpetuates a dangerous belief that it is appropriate to sexually assault a woman to punish her. National Organization for Women even declared sexual violence to be a hate crime.

Media's Influence

Growing up, I learned about love and intimacy from all forms of media—it was mainly the newspapers and TV which were available at the time. I always had a vague idea of relationships and even the understanding of women. For me women were just like me yet alienated creatures. Something to win, achieve or possess. The idea of women was distorted along with the idea of relationships. Often young teenagers, thanks to ill informed media, get a very unhealthy idea of relationships, which can result into dangerous actions in later life.

Bollywood, Tollywood and other regional cinema in India have their own way of entertaining the audience—lots of romance, action and twists. The same entertainment carries an open enactment of misogyny, where stereotypes against women are openly portrayed and joked about. The result of which is the normalization of misogyny and sexism. 

Indian cinema remains regressive and largely a man's world, where women are often portrayed as objects to be sexualized and demeaned. Although there is a hope in women-centric films that have emerged, the path is rough and long. One such instance is the movie 'Mrs.', starring Sanya Malhotra, which was released in 2023. The movie was intended to raise awareness and portray domestic oppression Indian women face on day to day basis, which is so much normalized that any deviations are seen as a threat to those accustomed to and benefit by such oppression. Unsurprisingly, it was largely criticized by men's rights organizations who labeled it a "biased feminist perspective" and claimed it inaccurately depicted household chores as oppressive.

The rise of digital media, including social media platforms, music videos, and web series has amplified such issues. As I've noted it before, social media has fueled the hatred that once stayed in the corners where it emerged. Now these platforms give these hateful ideas traction and the ability to influence others. One such digital corner is the 'Manosphere'—a loose network of communities that claim to address men’s struggles. Such spaces exploit vulnerable men in the name of improving their lives, reinvigorating harmful stereotypes and hatred against women, LGBTQ+ folks, and other minorities.

Many would argue that misogyny had always been there, and now just the forms in which they are delivered have changed. However, with media, specifically digital media, the rise and influence is exponential and unprecedented.

A crucial question arises: Is the media a reflection of society or a force influencing it? The accurate answer would be both. While any media reflects existing cultural norms, it has a responsibility to lead the change and challenge the normalcy, even if it upsets those who benefit from the current system.

A Culture of Contradiction

Many hardliner groups in India, often referred to as Dals (or organizations), that operate on the guise of enforcing 'Indian cultural values'. Often these Dals are seen harassing young couples, especially women, questioning them about the male figure they're with. This has become a tradition of sorts, where these groups often engage in protests, moral policing, and even violence against couples on Valentine's Day. It's an odd contradiction where celebrating love is seen as a threat, while the very culture claiming to protect its values enables violence.

In certain spaces in India, men are usually celebrated to have partners they have sexual intercourse with. They're even encouraged to have as many partners as they'd like. In fact, the more the partners, the more is the man an 'Alpha'—a term commonly associated with someone who is dominant, sexually successful and in the top tier of men. Men even get celebrated for having multiple partners at a time, even cheating is an achievement for 'lad' culture. However, women are shamed to even have partners. They are scrutinized at every step, from their choice of clothing to even engaging in any kind of fun activities. This hypocrisy creates a contrasting cultural landscape where men are celebrated for having many 'scores' while criticizing women for the same behavior.

Marital Rape and Tradition

Marital rape is a very real problem in India. The latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) reports nearly 1 in 3 Indian women aged 18-49 have suffered some form of spousal abuse; and around 6% have suffered sexual violence. It must be noted that underreporting and lack of dialogue around marital rape means the number is significantly higher. It was hard to believe such a thing would exist in any progressive society. However, such is the sacredness of marriage in India, where marrying women can be equated to owning them.

If we take a step back or a few, Indians are culturally conservative and hardliners. Parents would usually look for a woman, to marry their son, who is 'Sanskari'—a woman who embodies traditional values, good conduct, and is considered to be well-behaved and respectful. In other words, a chaste, pure and innocent woman. Who most of the time does whatever the in-laws and their son desire, even if it meant she had to give up her own dreams to cater to their needs. One could also say they need a housemaid more than a daughter-in-law. 

Marital rape is not a crime in India. This doesn't only violate their fundamental human rights but also denies the victims justice. A judgement was passed by the Chhattisgarh High Court, in a marital rape case, earlier this year which ruled that a husband cannot be charged with rape or unnatural sex with his wife if she is above 15 years of age, regardless of consent.

The judgement was based on the Indian Penal Code which governs the law, which has now been replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Despite the change, the new law under Section 63 retains the same exception, but raises the age of the wife from 15 to 18 years. This issue warrants greater attention from lawmakers and reformers to criminalize marital rape and provide victims the justice.

The Porn Debate

Calls to ban pornography are a common refrain in India, as it's often been blamed for the rape problem in India. This was even exemplified in a gang-rape case where a judge, believing the accused was inspired by it, ordered a ban on porn. Is this judgement correct though? Have we ever blamed violent songs, videos and movies to be behind the violence and hate? Pornography faces scrutiny because sex and pleasure have long been vilified by the religious preachers and fanatics. While the industry does have its problems, including violent aspects, blaming it alone for the rape crisis is shortsighted and dangerous oversimplification.

Porn industry needs revamping and more scrutiny, however, banning it is never going to fix any problems, and will instead make it worse. A ban would not make porn disappear, just like it hasn't in India. It would simply force the industry, and its performers, in the shadows, allowing more power to the ones holding the cards. This creates an environment where performers—particularly women and LGBTQ+ folks—are more vulnerable to exploitation with no legal protection or oversight.

The Way Forward

The solution to India's rape problem is not simply harsher punishments, as there is no evidence to suggest that this approach effectively reduces crime. Often we are driven to react to crimes such as rape and sexual assault. However our reactions should be diverted towards actions, such as addressing the root cause of the problem. When we do this, it becomes clear that these crimes are the result of deep-seated cultural and societal issues—where male section is often raised with a sense of entitlement over women's bodies while women are generally oppressed, their views  and autonomy dismissed and diminished. Ultimately, a culture that allows for this entitlement over women's bodies becomes the very foundation of rape culture.

For a Better World

This piece is personal for me as it might be for you. My writing is driven by a deep love for our society and a desire for a more equitable one, where inclusion and equality thrive leading to cultural strength and growth. But before we achieve any of that, we must confront these painful truths and commit to a better future.