Statistics say that every hour 2 women are raped in India. Surely this number can in no way explain why the Bus rape case has attracted so much attention. Delhites were up in arms. Newspapers were full of every juicy titbit that they could search out. Newsreaders went ballistic, panelists screamed out their points of view on every channel. The youth took to the streets and were burning public property and the police were having a field day, water cannoning and lathi charging the protesters. So my question is: Why was this rape different from the others? Rapes more dastardly that this one have happened before.
A quick google search reveals an endless list of high profile rape cases.
A quick google search reveals an endless list of high profile rape cases.
- Kashmir
- Kunan Poshpora incident (1991)
- Shopian rape and murder case (2009)
- Kerala
- Suryanelli rape case (1996)
- Kiliroor Sex Scandal (2003)
- Maharashtra
- Aruna Shanbaug case (1973)
- Jalgaon rape case (circa 1982-1994)
- Mathura rape case (1974-1981)
- Tulasa Thapa (1982)
- Manipur
- Thangjam Manorama (2004)
- Orissa
- Anjana Mishra rape case (1999)
- Rajasthan
- Ajmer rape case (? - 1992)
- Bhanwari Devi (1992)
- Uttar Pradesh
- Imrana rape case (2005)
- Tamil Nadu
- Vachathi case (1992)
- West bengal
- Park Street Rape Case (2012)
I could google more cases, but I think the list explains itself.
So, why does this case draw so much attention? Is it the manic violence. No. It couldn't be that. There have been others more brutal. Is it the fact that it happened in a place where the people are more media savvy, they are more aware and have a louder voice than other parts of the nation. Unlikely!
I think it may be because usually, its the more privileged, or the upper caste who rapes the poorer, lower caste woman. But in this case, it was the poor labour class men who took it upon themselves to rape a girl who looked better off, more educated and more modern than them!
Instinctively, the higher income and the better educated are feeling threatened. Their strident voices are screams of panic. Today an unknown girl, tomorrow it could be a loved one.
The extreme differences in levels of education and income are going to see more and more cases where the marginalised and the dispossessed are going to rebel at the unfairness of it all.
The answer lies in each of us reaching out and doing something to make our society more just. Where income is more evenly distributed and where a migrant labourer can find ways and means to find meaning in life.
- Reach out and sponsor the education of a dropout child.
- Volunteer at an anganwadi.
- Counsel a woman, help empower her...
If you have a different take on the issue, feel free to air your point of view here. It will help me become more aware and search for answers.
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