12 years after Nirbhaya ,nothing has changed ;or society continues to ignore the real problem- Patriarchy . In India, a deeply entrenched patriarchal mindset significantly influences attitudes toward women, leading to pervasive victim-blaming and contributing to an environment where rape crimes are alarmingly common. This mindset often results in women being held responsible for the violence inflicted upon them, perpetuating a culture that endangers their safety.
Victim Blaming Culture
The 2012 Nirbhaya case, involving the brutal gang rape and murder of a young woman in Delhi, starkly highlighted this issue. Despite the horrific nature of the crime, public and media focus often shifted to scrutinizing the victim’s behavior and choices. Comments questioning her character rather than focusing on the perpetrators illustrated how deeply ingrained victim-blaming is in Indian society.Laws in India prohibit revealing the the victim's name and photo, reflecting a societal fear that she will be blamed or ill-treated ,despite being entirely innocent .This protection ubderscores how deeply ingrained victim blaming is.
Suppression of Critical Discussions
The documentary India's Daughter, which aimed to expose these harsh realities, was banned shortly after its release. Officially, the ban was to prevent unrest, but it also suppressed important discussions about sexual violence and victim-blaming. The film’s candid portrayal of societal attitudes towards women was deemed too controversial, reflecting the patriarchal reluctance to confront uncomfortable truths.
Judicial Examples of Victim-Blaming
Victim-blaming extends into the judicial system as well. In the 2017 Mumbai rape case, the court's judgement reflected a disturbing focus on the victim’s behavior rather than the accused ’s actions. The judge’s remarks about the victim’s lifestyle overshadowed the severity of the crime, highlighting a troubling judicial tendency to scrutinize victims instead of addressing perpetrators' culpability.
Similarly, in the 2021 case involving a Delhi-based journalist, the defense strategy included questioning the victim’s character and past, diverting attention from the accused. This approach underscores a pattern where the victim’s actions are scrutinized rather than the crime itself.
The recent Kolkata horror where a resident doctor was raped and murdered, further exemplifies these issues.Despite the severity of the crime, public and judicial discussions often shifted to questioning the victim’s choices, rather than addressing systemic failures and holding perpetrators accountable. This pattern
not only perpetuates victim-blaming but also obscures the need for comprehensive legal reforms.
Conclusion
These examples reveal how patriarchal attitudes and victim-blaming create an unsafe environment for women. Addressing these issues requires a shift in societal attitudes, judicial practices, and public discourse. Until these changes occur, the cycle of victim-blaming and violence will continue, maintaining a dangerous environment for women in India.
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