Reasons for 'Rape Bombs' exploding in Indian Republic

Mahatma Gandhi's words that India can proud of its Independence only when a woman walks freely without fear in nights makes one wonder, when India really claim to have got Independence. With every passing second, 'Rape Bombs' are exploding in Indian Republic and needless to say everyone,including the Govt,police forces,legal system became mute spectators.

Even saner lot are unable to fathom how to curb violence and atrocities against women and psychologists too are at their wits ends as to what could be the reason behind increased crimes aganst women. After the henious and dastardly incident on Nirbhaya,public anger grew so much so that many came out to streets forcing Govt to take steps and enact even 'Nirbhaya Act'.

Many thought this would deter rapists and criminals from committing crimes. However even while the protests were happening on Nirbhaya incident, rapists had a free run. This is not to say that Indian Republic was free from crimes against women prior to Nirbhaya incident.

While many wondered what could be the reason behind increase in crimes against women, some say even earlier incidents used to occur against women but media started reporting actively only after Nirbhaya incident. Millions of years back too crimes against women continued unabated and even in Hindu Mythology, it was narrated how women were insulted.

To the top of it with slow legal process in dealing with these crimes and reaction of society to the rape victims are making many not to lodge complaints. So while reported crimes and pending cases itself come up to more than 1 lakh,many go unreported.

The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) the only official source provides data on Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). The bureau covers data in the following stages.

Crime reported

First Information Report (FIR) filed by police

Investigation completed

Police prepare a report to establish the case (known as charge sheeting)

Trial

Conviction

According to the data provided it shows

Rape reported - no data available

First Information Report (FIR) is filed by police - FIRs filed for rape rose by 2.9% in 2012

Investigation is completed - 63.9% of rape cases were investigated in 2012

Police officially document the crime (charge sheeting) - 95% of cases investigated were 'charge-sheeted'

Trial - fewer than 15% of rape cases came to trial in 2012

Conviction - 24.2% of rape trials resulted in a conviction in 2012

But this is no cause for celebration since only 63% of cases were solved by the police. Women in India are subject to all forms of violence like Female infanticide, discrimination within the household, lack of opportunity to work, honor killings, women as property, rape, molestation, etc. The traditons and culture of the country is one of the main reason against growing violence against women.

The problem of violence against women is a result of a long standing power imbalance between men and women. Unless until there is sea change in the psyche of men against women and parents stop discriminating girls and boys while bringing up their children, crimes continue unabated. States like Punjab, Delhi, Maharashtra and other states the northern India witness high crime rates due to low male,female ratio and also backwardness. With villages following their own justice, like Khaaps, there is no ending to it.

Though some blame women attire being responsible, they cannot explain how then even small kids are raped. Most disgusting fact is most of the rapes and other crimes are committed against women by their own relatives and close friends who they believe blindly. When even law enforcers are accused of crime against women, one can gauge the pathetic situation. No place or time is safe for women in current situation. They should be extremely cautious and take due precautions be it at house,office,public places and not to take anyone for granted.

Change should come in individuals and only when men start respecting and start treating other women as his mother or sister, crimes will come down. Otherwise 'rape bombs' continue ticking on women every second.