Sexual violence and rape have become a national tragedy in India, where a woman is raped every 16 minutes. The so-called “rape culture” in India reflects societal decay and has created an atmosphere of insecurity and unease across the nation.
Corruption, government negligence, and failure to provide justice have played a major role in the growth of “rape culture.” Under Modi’s leadership, heinous crimes like rape have reached alarming proportions. From the infamous Delhi Nirbhaya case to the recent gang rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata in 2024, the country has witnessed horrific incidents.
According to a 2018 survey by the Thomson Reuters Foundation, India was labeled the most dangerous country for women due to rising incidents of violence and rape. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reported that in 2022, 445,256 cases of crimes against women were registered, including 31,516 cases of sexual violence. Every year, more than 30,000 rapes are reported in India.
However, the majority of rape victims are denied justice due to fear, revenge, and an ineffective judicial system. In recent years, the conviction rate has been as low as 27-28%, with nearly 3 out of 4 individuals accused of rape remaining free.
Sexual violence and rape in India, particularly during Modi’s tenure, have become riddled with allegations of data suppression and media control. The true extent of these crimes is often revealed through social media.
Delays in releasing NCRB reports for 2023 and 2024 are attributed to the Modi government’s efforts to suppress the reality of crimes against women. Furthermore, the deep-rooted caste system in India often leaves women from lower and Dalit castes vulnerable to sexual violence. According to NCRB, cases of rape against Dalit women have increased by 169% since 2012, with 4,241 incidents reported.
Disturbingly, reports suggest that 10 rape cases involving Dalit women are recorded daily, with a conviction rate below 2%, further highlighting the flaws in the judicial system. Women from minority communities in conflict zones like Manipur also face sexual violence, with reports indicating 59 such cases between September 2022 and September 2023.
In Kashmir, sexual exploitation has been used as a weapon of war, with numerous reports of sexual violence by Indian security forces. “Rape culture” has seeped into the Indian armed forces, where not only women soldiers but also officers face harassment and sexual assault. Many such cases are brought to light through social media, as growing surveillance on female officers hinders formal reporting.
Additionally, 25 incidents of rape were reported in India in 2022 involving foreign nationals, including tourists. A highly publicized case in March 2024 involved the gang rape of a 28-year-old Spanish tourist in Jharkhand.
These facts not only point to the growth of the rape culture in India but also shed light on the country’s moral decline.
