Gender-based violence in India has once again come into the spotlight following the horrific incident in which a woman was stripped and paraded naked in Belagavi, Karnataka. This heinous act has sparked outrage and demands for immediate action to address the ongoing problem of violence against women in the country. While this incident is sadly not rare, it serves as a stark reminder that the law in India is still ill-equipped to deal with such crimes.
The incident occurred when a group of people barged into the house of 42-year-old Sasikala, dragged her out, and subjected her to a brutal assault. The reason behind this act of violence was her son’s decision to elope with his girlfriend. The young woman, who was betrothed to another man, was to be married the next day, and her family wanted to find the couple. Sasikala was humiliated, beaten, and paraded naked around the village before the police intervened and rescued her.
This incident is not an isolated case, as similar incidents have made headlines in recent years. In Manipur, a viral video showed two women being attacked and groped by a mob of men, with one of them allegedly being gang-raped. Other similar incidents have been reported from different states, often rooted in caste or familial conflicts. Pregnant women have been paraded naked in Rajasthan, tribal women in Gujarat have been punished for eloping, and Dalit women in Uttar Pradesh have been caned by members of a higher caste.
Despite the widespread outrage and attention these incidents receive, there is a general lack of data on the scale of gender-based violence in India. Many cases go unreported due to shame, fear, and a lack of support from the system. Families often hesitate to come forward because they view it as a matter of honor, and survivors are discouraged by the insensitive questioning they face from the police and in courts.
The law currently addresses such crimes under the offense of “assault with intent to outrage [a woman’s] modesty,” which also includes cases of street harassment, sexual gestures, voyeurism, and stalking. This broad categorization fails to capture the severity and unique nature of these crimes. Moreover, the punishment for such offenses is grossly inadequate, with perpetrators facing a mere three to seven years in jail.
Legal experts and activists are calling for urgent reforms to address these shortcomings in the law. They argue that the punishment needs to be enhanced to serve as a deterrent, and the survivors need to be provided with a safe space to report these crimes. The existing system not only fails to support the survivors but also perpetuates the idea that women need to find a way to stay safe. The onus should be on the wrongdoer and society as a whole to stop these atrocities.
The Karnataka high court judges, who summoned the police and initiated a hearing on their own, highlighted the need for collective responsibility to prevent such crimes. They emphasized that all members of the community should be held accountable and called for lessons to be learned from an incident dating back to the 1830s when an entire village was made to pay for a crime.
However, it is essential to recognize that legal reforms alone are not enough to address the deep-rooted attitudes and beliefs that contribute to gender-based violence. Education and awareness play a crucial role in changing societal norms and raising better boys who understand the importance of respecting women. Efforts need to start early to counter the culture of violence and misogyny that has become normalized.
In conclusion, the incident in Belagavi serves as a wake-up call for India to confront the rampant gender-based violence that continues to plague the country. The law must be strengthened to provide more effective measures to prevent and punish such crimes. However, legal reforms alone are not sufficient, and concerted efforts are needed to challenge the deep-rooted beliefs and attitudes that perpetuate violence against women. Society as a whole must take collective responsibility to create an environment where women can live free from fear and violence.
