India’s Rape Crisis Undermines the Country

[prasad1]

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India?s Rape Crisis Undermines the Country - The Daily Beast

by Dilip D’Souza

This week’s gang-rape of an American woman traveling in India was the latest in a series of high profile attacks that scaring off visitors. Dilip D’Souza on why India’s honor is at stake—and why extra caution is needed in the country.

A friend in the States, a friend in France. I've known both for over a quarter-century and have visited both in their homes several times. Each time, I suggest to them before leaving that they come visit me in India. Their usual reaction: a small smile and then they shake their heads, no. Both have essentially the same reason. "I'm scared of how I will react to the poverty," they say. Thus both, so far, have not turned up to visit me; neither has personally contributed to the tourist industry in India.

Others like them have, though. We don't get tourists in the numbers that Spain or Turkey do, for example. But close to 7 million people came to India in 2012, generating revenues of nearly $18 billion. That kind of money means livelihoods to thousands across this land, especially in such favorite spots as Rajasthan, Hampi, Agra, and Goa.


Now I don't know how many of these millions of tourists are aware of and react in some way to poverty. But the reality is that the number of visiting tourists has been steadily rising for years. Except that the last few months have seen the opposite: tourist traffic to India is dropping. Plenty of tourists are choosing not to come on trips they had planned. In particular, foreign women are changing their minds about visiting India. One report suggests that there was a 25 percent drop in tourist arrivals over the first three months of 2013. That's fueled by a 35 per cent drop among foreign women tourists.

But we do get accustomed, and to way too many things. Many of us remember, all too well, when the November 2008 assault on Mumbai prompted the local Home Minister, RR Patil, to tell us that "incidents like these keep happening in big cities".


You know, like cars jumping red lights. Burglaries. Murderous attacks by armed gunmen. And—why not?—rapes. All keep happening.


But get used to it? Thanks, but no thanks.


But I am sure some members in this site would not care as to what the world thinks. They are happy in their corner of the world. Then there are others buried their head too deep to see that world has passed them by.

 

[tks]

A country which explained to the world 'Ahimsa' as the most mature way of dealing with each other and all beings is now viewed as immersed in Adharma,

Between rampant corruption at every level and rape of defenseless women as a past time the country of India and its people are telling each other and others in the world why India is an ugly and dangerous place to visit.

Every country deserves the government it has ..

The silent majority is at fault since they are gutless , confused and self centered. If the silent majority of Indians including every NRI/OCI/PIO do not do something the country will deteriorate exponentially to a point of no return

 

[sangom]

Suppressio veri, suggestio falsi! The original report contains this remark in a prominent Box:

Nowhere in the world, and certainly not anywhere in India, should a woman take a ride from three unknown men in a truck at one in the morning.

Kindly note the reporter's cautionary words "Nowhere in the world". If your intention is just to throw mud on India in and out of context, no harm, kindly go ahead with full zeal, but do not deny the reporter the chance to be read completely.

 

[prasad1]

I think that is why I posted the entire list, as opposed to take credit for writing it.
There is a difference between caution and blame, if one does not understand that, it is not worth explaining.

When some one leaves for journey, we tell them to be careful, take care of your health, see you later etc.
But if something bad happens we don't turn around and say that they should have stated home, as I warned them . That is a silly argument.
Or say that one of the passenger in the bus was not cautioned to be safe that is why the bus fell off the cliff.

I am sure you will say that it comes from a western source, so it is not valid.

 

[prasad1]

Rapist----------Women dressed in Burka ------------------Raped.
Rapist----------Conservatively dressed women-------------Raped.
Rapist-----------Women dressed skimpily-------------------Raped.

Rapist, women and rape are the only common factor. Remove the rapist to stop Rape.

Mr, Sangom sir,
You are under the misconception that dress is the factor, it is not.

 

[sangom]

Rapist----------Women dressed in Burka ------------------Raped.
Rapist----------Conservatively dressed women-------------Raped.
Rapist-----------Women dressed skimpily-------------------Raped.

Rapist, women and rape are the only common factor. Remove the rapist to stop Rape.

Mr, Sangom sir,

You are under the misconception that dress is the factor, it is not.

I don't say "Dress is the factor." I say "Dress is also a factor, so, at least in India, women must dress modestly."

Anyway, don't worry, women from the west will continue to come here believing all that you and your friends say about rape, some Indian women will also be carried away by such (false) propaganda and some of them may get raped also. Good-intentioned caution is not valid today.

Further, there are no "rapists" (like 'lepers', 'beggars', etc.) - again, at least in India. I think this is the case throughout the world. It is the ordinary, run-of-the-mill male who turns to rape when provoked unduly by sexual stimulii. But you people have, with the help of dubious "studies" managed to create a separate class by name "rapist" - just like communist, marxist, maoist, etc. Given unfavourable circumstances even you, I or any one else from among the "honourable men" could have become a "rapist" in our prime years. (May be now both of us can boast a little because we are past our "expiry dates"!)

 

[kunjuppu]

Rapist----------Women dressed in Burka ------------------Raped.
Rapist----------Conservatively dressed women-------------Raped.
Rapist-----------Women dressed skimpily-------------------Raped.

Rapist, women and rape are the only common factor. Remove the rapist to stop Rape.

dear prasad,

i think you will have to excuse some of our friends here, for failing to understand the basic psychology of sexual assault, of either gender.

what if the woman is dressed modestly, keeps safe hours and is in public limelight all the time - how can she get assaulted? they wonder. this is the lakshman rekha they have drawn, and anyone going beyond it, is at risk.

any other argument, even with tons of proofs, would not convince them, because it is their mindset. for such folks, the only way to understand the nature of sexual assault, is when someone close and dear to them, suffers through it, and that too, inspite of all the precautions taken. even then, i wonder, if they will blame the victim for 'just being there'.

unfortunately, in real, females have to work shifts, have to deal with men in a functional environment, share public space like buses or trains and involve with them on a professional basis. the percentage of perverts may be only 0.1% of the population. but then, in india, that figure is a million or so folks. you dont need a million to create havoc. all it takes is a few tens or hundreds, to spread fear and damage.

it is very much like, in that other thread about shudras. there is one very intelligent gentleman, who persists in using the offensive word, under the guise of erudition, research, education and knowledge - without knowing, that practise of abuse, is anything but that. how to get across to folks like such, is beyond me.

we are talking of social responsibilities and social awareness here, to eradicate deeply embedded perverted thoughts, in both the above cases. i guess, we just got to keep on working at it.

 

[Iyyarooraan]

I think it is time a reliable statistics chronologically, regionally, ethnologically, both of the culprit and victims giving age, family back round, education, family status, etc. are brought out. Well this might not be possible. No state bothers about its own law and order situation but we would not slight our regional pride. We have a ruling party at centre which blesses every non-sense so that its base is not shaken. Coalition governments confound the problems. India, i.e. Bharat Mera Mahaan, is united only on negative and disruptive tendencies. Positive and constructive qualities are restricted to 'vain" individuals. Besides, India has become too big a country for efficient administration.

 

[sarang]

Canada and India have more or less the same rape statistics. And US is twenty times worse.

There are cases from the civilized west - one man kidnapping three women and raping them for over ten years; another case of father begetting children from his daughters. These are recent.

If american and canadian media are as enthusiastic and blaring like indian media, more dirt can be dug out and published. Perhaps they are published only in the local papers for educating and warning the local citizens. And they make more noise is concerned.

Idiots will remain idiots. 'Shudra' is used in the palasruti of vishnu sahasranamam, rendered in her divine and melodious voice by shrimathi MSS. Only dirty EVR minds will associate dirty meanings; shahasranamam is recited by all varnas in chennai and in south. We have respect for all varnas, jatis and kulams.

EVR days are gone; only emigres are stuck in evr mindset. It is time for perverts to see light and reform.

 

[sangom]

dear prasad,

i think you will have to excuse some of our friends here, for failing to understand the basic psychology of sexual assault, of either gender.

what if the woman is dressed modestly, keeps safe hours and is in public limelight all the time - how can she get assaulted? they wonder. this is the lakshman rekha they have drawn, and anyone going beyond it, is at risk.

any other argument, even with tons of proofs, would not convince them, because it is their mindset. for such folks, the only way to understand the nature of sexual assault, is when someone close and dear to them, suffers through it, and that too, inspite of all the precautions taken. even then, i wonder, if they will blame the victim for 'just being there'.

unfortunately, in real, females have to work shifts, have to deal with men in a functional environment, share public space like buses or trains and involve with them on a professional basis. the percentage of perverts may be only 0.1% of the population. but then, in india, that figure is a million or so folks. you dont need a million to create havoc. all it takes is a few tens or hundreds, to spread fear and damage.

it is very much like, in that other thread about shudras. there is one very intelligent gentleman, who persists in using the offensive word, under the guise of erudition, research, education and knowledge - without knowing, that practise of abuse, is anything but that. how to get across to folks like such, is beyond me.

we are talking of social responsibilities and social awareness here, to eradicate deeply embedded perverted thoughts, in both the above cases. i guess, we just got to keep on working at it.

Dear Kunjuppu,

I am sure you have heard of the fable/story of the fox which fell into a vat of dye, got its tail cut etc. I am reminded of this story whenever I see the posts from you, Shri Prasad, etc., extolling what is current in your country and taking on the task of spreading social responsibilities and social awareness here (i.e., in India) suo motu.

If you people did not have the chance to go to those foreign countries and make it good for yourself and your family there, most probably, you all would have been living in India and concurring with the views expressed by myself and a few others, here. Of course, you brought in the classic point of "suya buddhi" yesterday and so I am glad that much of India still does not seem ready, yet, to subscribe to the exotic kinds of social responsibilities and social awareness.

China also thinks on lines similar to India though it may look senseless to some. Why not "live and let live"?

 

[kunjuppu]

Dear Kunjuppu,

I am sure you have heard of the fable/story of the fox which fell into a vat of dye, got its tail cut etc. I am reminded of this story whenever I see the posts from you, Shri Prasad, etc., extolling what is current in your country and taking on the task of spreading social responsibilities and social awareness here (i.e., in India) suo motu.

If you people did not have the chance to go to those foreign countries and make it good for yourself and your family there, most probably, you all would have been living in India and concurring with the views expressed by myself and a few others, here. Of course, you brought in the classic point of "suya buddhi" yesterday and so I am glad that much of India still does not seem ready, yet, to subscribe to the exotic kinds of social responsibilities and social awareness.

China also thinks on lines similar to India though it may look senseless to some. Why not "live and let live"?

sangom, 100 correct. i think because i have lived in canada 40+ years, have changed my views. i quite agree, i would probably having similar opinion to that of yours, had i been in india. because our attitudes to a large extent formed by our environment and what we hear or see.

but still, that would not make it right, would i?

for example, my attitude of castes were born in india, largely due to my exposures with other castes and the benefit of living in a mixed environment. many of these were more talented than i am, and broke the myth of certain brahmin superiorities. when i came to iit, actually i regressed in my caste attitudes because almost everyone around me was a tambram, and most were pretty set and rigid in their prejudices.

even though i could differ, only so much latitude was permitted due to circumstances. one chemistry lecturer started RSS unit inside the campus, which in reality, was a Government of India property,with a nominal sense of equality of all indians. dont know if it is still there, but it was funny to watch these brahmin boys, on saturday mornings, assemble on the field behind my hostel, in their white cut out banians and khaki short, with a lathi stick, marching and singing some hindi song. more comical than fearful, but not sure how the christian students felt. there were only 2 muslims in the whole hostel.

 

[C RAVI]

Does America Have an Unadmitted Rape Culture Problem?

Steubenville Rape Case: Does America Have an Unadmitted Rape Culture Problem?


-------------------------
Steubenville Rape Case: Does America Have an Unadmitted RapeCulture Problem?

In December, millions of Americans expressed outrage over the brutal gang rape and murder of a 23-year-old woman in India. American journalists bristled over the number of Indian lawmakers who themselves, face charges of rape. Articles rightfully, criticized India's government and rape culture. As this story unfolded so too did another.
The New York Times wrote a piece on a 16-year-old girl in Ohio who was allegedly raped and urinated on by multiple individuals while unconscious at a party back in August of 2012. Since the article was published on December 16th, much has happened. A subgroup of Anonymous —known as KnightSec, worked with the blog Localleaks to disseminate a 12-minute long video of a Steubenville High School baseball player discussing the girl and her assault. KnightSec continues to release information regarding involved parties.
On January 3rd, a California appeals court ruled that the case involving Julio Morales raping a sleeping woman, would have to be retried due to an archaic 1872 law. The law essentially states that the woman had not been raped because she was unmarried and therefore was not protected from rape by imposters.
The list of recent news stories involving American cases of rape goes on. But unlike the story involving the 23-year-old Indian woman, American media has been slow to paint a realistic picture of our own rape culture and institutionalized misogyny.

-------------------------

 

[C RAVI]

But I am sure some members in this site would not care as to what the world thinks. They are happy in their corner of the world. Then there are others buried their head too deep to see that world has passed them by.

We neither care what GOI would do with all legal measures to save girls from rape nor we bother to care what the world thinks of India. As long as the world outside India does not export their stupid culture to India and influence Indian folks, we are happy.

All we care as citizens of India for our self/our girls in our family and all other girls in the society is, how women as well should be responsible and sensitive in line with/towards social discipline/norms; Natural influences between male & female; poor, starved & insane Men etc etc to not to be a possible victim of any kind of sexual abuses.

Did some of our members ever have seen a teen aged school boys/college students from all strata of the society who are quiet normal and descent, stealthy staring at the exposing/protruding parts of a lady of any age and some even don't care to stare at even if the lady could notice and take the efforts to cover up? If some of our members say that - "It shows male species of India seem to be sick and psychologically imbalanced and that these youth were been brought up by their Idiot Mothers", what can we say? Sigh!

Did some of our members ever thought of why some girls/ladies like to expose themselves sexually? What some of these ladies agenda/motive/attitude/intentions behind such a choice is? And what sort of impression other exposing ladies are inviting though they have no agenda (if at all they really don't have)? If some of our members say that, Indian Men are being wicked and trying to show these ladies in bad picture, and that, not a single lady use the tactics of sexually exposing her beauty to achieve her ulterior motives, what can we say? Sigh!

Did some of our members ever thought why couple of years before, Anna University laid a rule that male and female students should not wear revealing cloths and defined what alone can be considered as modest dressing? If some of our members think that Anna University Management lacks Global Wisdom and is stuck happily in some corner of the world as primitives, what we can say? Sigh!


Did some of our members ever thought why Temple Management requests all visiting devotees to come in modest dressing? If some of our members say that, the management of these temples lack the very knowledge of spirituality and lack the knowledge that Soul and Body is different and Body is just a mere garment without any specialty attached to it, what can we say? Sigh!


Sigh!

 

[C RAVI]

There is a difference between caution and blame, if one does not understand that, it is not worth explaining.

Even a Kid can understand that if he/she is ignoring the caution given by the well wishers, he/she will be blamed of his/hers carefree attitude. The kid can also understand that it is his/hers mistake of ignoring the caution that have lead him/her inviting a trouble.

When some one leaves for journey, we tell them to be careful, take care of your health, see you later etc.
But if something bad happens we don't turn around and say that they should have stated home, as I warned them . That is a silly argument.

When some one in his/her journey faces problem due to believing a stranger or leaving the belongings unattended or missing a flight/train/bus being focused on something else and let us know the truth as what happened, we will blame him/her of being care less and being ignorant.

Or say that one of the passenger in the bus was not cautioned to be safe that is why the bus fell off the cliff.

This is the utter silly illustration. It is to illustrate what and how a mentally derailed person would talk of the reasons behind a bus falling off the cliff. And it is a silly attempt to substantiate a point that some of the members here are senseless.

I am sure you will say that it comes from a western source, so it is not valid.

To me it looks like something coming from somewhere out of this world!!

 

[prasad1]

Did some of our members ever thought why Temple Management requests all visiting devotees to come in modest dressing? If some of our members say that, the management of these temples lack the very knowledge of spirituality and lack the knowledge that Soul and Body is different and Body is just a mere garment without any specialty attached to it, what can we say? Sigh!

Mr. Ravi,
Have you ever analysed yourself, you are not capable of that (you know what others think of you).
So we are asked to dress modestly in the temple because you will get raped otherwise!!! is that what you are implying. I did not think even you can be that bad, oh well live and learn.

 

[prasad1]

Mr. Sangom sir, it is abundantly clear that you are biased against people in west. Is there any scientific reason for that conclusion? You are a logical person, give me a logical answer.


None of us justified rape any where in the world. Why are you jumping to the defense of Indian Rapist. What has the women victims done to you? And on the other hand what has the rapist done for you that you are ready to defend them.

 

[C RAVI]

Rapist----------Women dressed in Burka ------------------Raped.
Rapist----------Conservatively dressed women-------------Raped.
Rapist-----------Women dressed skimpily-------------------Raped.

Need to add more -

Rapist ------- a Female Baby ------Raped
Rapist ------- a old granny ------Raped
Rapist ------- a pregnant, mentally & physically challenged lady ------Raped
Rapist ------- a drunken and unconscious women ------ Raped.

Rapist, women and rape are the only common factor. Remove the rapist to stop Rape.

Rapist - Women - Rape sequence has a single derivation - "NEED OF SEX"

Remove "NEED OF SEX" = "Rape" of "women" will not happen.

OR, if you have better solution to Remove Rapist, not just the "word-rapist" but the real physical Man as a rapist from the society, share with us.

Mr, Sangom sir,
You are under the misconception that dress is the factor, it is not.

YES, dress is "one of the factors". Wearing dress ONLY to expose the body is one of the many reasons behind rape incidents. That is why we are firmly advising girls to wear modestly. So that, possibly they would not be a victim of any kind of sexual abuses. And that, they would not be the reason behind kindling a Rapist to go and rape a innocent and decently dressed girl. Though wearing modestly can not guarantee no rape, at least would not be readily inducing and attracting a possible molester around.

 

[C RAVI]

Mr. Ravi,
Have you ever analysed yourself, you are not capable of that (you know what others think of you).
So we are asked to dress modestly in the temple because you will get raped otherwise!!! is that what you are implying. I did not think even you can be that bad, oh well live and learn.

Thank you for enlightening me as what up to am I and what others think of me.

I envy you now!! You are bestowed with a wisdom, knowledge and detailed information on what and how other members in this forum think of me.

Bravo!!

 

[prasad1]

Rapist - Women - Rape sequence has a single derivation - "NEED OF SEX"

Where did you pull that from?

Rape has nothing to do with sex.
Rape is purely display of power.
Rape isn't about sex. It's about power, control, and domination.
Rape is forced and unwanted. It's about power, not sex. A rapist uses actual force or violence — or the threat of it — to take control over another human being. Some rapists use drugs to take away a person's ability to fight back. Rape is a crime, whether the person committing it is a stranger, a date, an acquaintance, or a family member.

 

[C RAVI]

Where did you pull that from?

Rape has nothing to do with sex.
Rape is purely display of power.
Rape isn't about sex. It's about power, control, and domination.
Rape is forced and unwanted. It's about power, not sex. A rapist uses actual force or violence — or the threat of it — to take control over another human being. Some rapists use drugs to take away a person's ability to fight back. Rape is a crime, whether the person committing it is a stranger, a date, an acquaintance, or a family member.

I have stated some time before in this forum in some other thread, that, Rape is not to demonstrate manly power in general. It is the "Ned of Sex" to be fulfilled by hook or crook. And, manly power over a women comes handy to perform. Individually it takes more effort to rape a girl and in a group as team work, it becomes more easy and fun filled for perverted guys to over power a girl and rape her.

We are not stating that "Rape is not a Crime" and Rapist should not be criticized and punished. You totally lack what we are stating. All our efforts are in vain as for as your understanding is concerned.


Sigh!!

 

[amala]

I have read many times that rape is NOT about sex at all, but about violence, control and power. Sex is just the tool only. Even after writing it here some people still keep believing what they want to believe. Why are we wasting our time? I don't get it. This thread has run its course, imho

 

[tbs]

I have read many times that rape is NOT about sex at all, but about violence, control and power. Sex is just the tool only. Even after writing it here some people still keep believing what they want to believe. Why are we wasting our time? I don't get it. This thread has run its course, imho

hi

well said.......even rape is act of sex.....every indian man will come under this category....its more violence against the

individual consent.....

 

[Nara]

This thread has run its course, imho

Amala, please permit me one little point.

Why should it be a case of us versus them? If UK is much worse than Timbuktu, and Denmark is much worse than UK, it matters little to the woman who gets raped in Timbuktu? This is a global problem. Violence against women is wide spread and multi-faceted, it all starts from the time the girl is just a fetus and it gets only worse after that. So, anyone scoring a debating point by saying X country is n times worse than Y country doesn't really get it at all.

Stop blaming the victim and do something about the testosterone.....

ok Amala, I am now done ....

 

[auh]

Why is "sex" used as a tool?

Can we analyse along those lines?

 

[sangom]

I have read many times that rape is NOT about sex at all, but about violence, control and power. Sex is just the tool only. Even after writing it here some people still keep believing what they want to believe. Why are we wasting our time? I don't get it. This thread has run its course, imho

Kum. Amala,

You have only read, and that too many times, that rape is NOT about sex at all, but about violence, control and power. Sex is just the tool only.

But if you happened to read the anti-brahmin outpourings of EVR, DK, MK etc., equal number of times, will your mind and/or intellect be equally ready to accept all those anti-brahmin views as gospel truth, in equal measure? Most possibly, no, because you are a brahmin and so your mind and intellect will refuse to accept those as the ultimate truth.

In the case of rape, however, you are a female and want complete, unfettered freedom to do all that you want; you desire, in a very general way, that females should be able to walk anywhere on earth in whatever dress they like to be in, exposing or emphasizing, enlarging, exhibiting whatever part/s of their anatomy they would like, and that, even then, no woman should come to any grief, least of all "rape".

Unfortunately, however, this world is not such an ideal place and God also does not seem to be keen on cleaning up this place. There are two major sexes with the in-between gray area sexes raising their head late in human history. A heterosexual woman in her prime age has to take adequate precautions in almost all parts of the world in order to safeguard her person and to prevent herself from being sexually assaulted. This applies equally to the US lady in H.P> who was unintelligent enough to believe that three truck drivers at 1.00 A.M. in the night will be all like marayada purush Ramas and to have got herself a lift.

In India, people will immediately ask why was she there alone, in that part of night, in a highway? What was her business if it was not something dubious, unholy?

If she was familiar with such "night walking", alone in the road, at dead of night, why did she not know that long distance truck drivers generally are under partial influence of alcohol (arrack, mostly, or drugs like Bhaang too, in rare cases) and that their behaviour would be quite unpredictable? and so on...

Perhaps you too, like our friends from the US, may insist that come what may, the rape victim should not be blamed. We do not blame the victim, but the extent of public sympathy/empathy to the rape victim will, at least in India, depend a lot on such antecedents as illustrated above. I, for one, believe that this is more salutary for India under indian conditions. I am not saying that US or the west cannot have a different stand in this matter. But despite our clearly making this point, you and our foreign settled friends seem to have got it in your heads to "convert" us, at any cost.

We, in India, are not yet as adept as the people in the west to deal with rape crimes as illustrated in this post.