Why we must all be alarmed
On June 25, a shocking case of gang rape emerged from South Calcutta Law College. Media reported that a 24-year-old first-year law student was reportedly assaulted on campus by a former student and two current students, sparking protests, political uproar, and fresh concerns over campus safety.
On June 20, another shocking case emerged from Andhra Pradesh: a 15-year-old Dalit girl, now eight months pregnant, revealed that she had been repeatedly raped over two years by 14 men from an influential community. The abuse, which began when she was in the 8th grade, came to light only recently. The police have arrested all 17 accused, 14 for the crime and 3, including a classmate, for failing to report it. The exploitation was systematic, enabled by threats, violence, and blackmail with compromising photos. Authorities say terminating the pregnancy is too dangerous, and returning her to the same village is unthinkable.
Media reported, a 70-year-old woman tourist was allegedly raped in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam in a hotel, where she was staying, reflecting how morality is even decaying in J&K, where once issue of rape was never heard and tourists were adored like family. Just days earlier, in Udaipur, a French tourist was allegedly raped by a man associated with a talent agency, once again raising questions about the safety of women, especially foreigners, in tourist-friendly states. Meanwhile, in Odisha, a college student was gang-raped by ten men on a beach in Ganjam while celebrating a festival. In Uttar Pradesh, a nurse was assaulted in a hospital, and a 15-year-old girl was raped by a patient’s attendant inside a medical college. In Mumbai, a female airline pilot was sexually harassed during a cab ride.
These are not isolated incidents. There are dozens of such cases that go unreported. The above series of incidents warns and reminds us that a grim pattern exists. Rape and sexual violence continue unabated in India, despite some of the world’s harshest laws. The problem, once associated with rural neglect or unpoliced outskirts, now occurs in metros, schools, beaches, hospitals, tourist hubs, and even workplaces. Each assault is a personal tragedy, and together, they represent a national failure. It hurts us all.
The United States recently reissued a Level 2 travel advisory for India, warning its citizens to “exercise increased caution” due to risks of violent crime, including rape. “Rape is one of the fastest-growing crimes in India,” the advisory noted. Such notices not only hurt India’s international image, they dissuade tourists, investors, students, and professionals from visiting or engaging with India confidently. Yet beyond the economic cost is the deeper moral crisis. If girls are unsafe in schools and colleges, if women cannot travel freely, if survivors are silenced, shamed or simply ignored, then no true progress can be claimed.
India has not been lax in framing laws. Since the brutal Nirbhaya case of 2012, sweeping legal reforms have been enacted. The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013 broadened the definition of rape and imposed stricter penalties. The 2018 amendment introduced the death penalty for rape of minors under 12. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 went further, prescribing life sentences or capital punishment for aggravated gang rapes of minors. Fast-track courts, victim compensation schemes, and gender-sensitive procedures have also been instituted. However, the frequency of these crimes suggests that laws alone are insufficient to deter offenders. In 2022 alone, over 31,000 cases of rape were reported in India, about 85 every day. That figure does not even account for the many rapes that go unreported.
Despite strict laws, sexual violence remains rampant in India due to systemic failures. Conviction rates are abysmally low, ranging from 27% to 28% between 2018 and 2022, allowing most accused to walk free. It has been seen that many times survivors face victim-blaming, social stigma, and prolonged trials. Additionally, sometimes family or societal pressure forces victims to withdraw their complaints. Corruption and poor policing further weaken justice, especially for those from marginalised communities. Our society also lacks sex education. On the contrary, many times it fosters toxic attitudes toward consent and gender, while patriarchal community leaders often prioritise cover-ups over accountability.
What makes rape in India particularly troubling is not just its prevalence, but our collective numbness. The news cycle moves on in hours. Outrage fades. Police issue routine statements. Many times, the administration or panchayats offer compensation. And the public waits for the next outrage. But every rape is a stain on our democracy, our culture, on our claims of progress, and our sense of shared humanity. It is a betrayal of the Constitution’s promise of dignity and equality for all. We need to prioritise that women’s safety is not just a “women’s issue,” to one family or society, it impacts every household, every community, and the very soul of the nation. When half the population lives in fear, the other half cannot truly claim to be free.
Every man needs to be educated. It is the responsibility of parents to educate their children, regardless of gender. It is the responsibility of society to educate parents about the consequences and how they need to be part of bringing change in society, change in their behaviour. Addressing rape in India requires more than strict laws. It calls for systemic reform, cultural change, and community action. It is high time for speedy justice. Government and law agencies need to focus more on improving both forensic and other investigations, ensuring consistent punishment. Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 recommendations as well as the Justice Verma Committee’s recommendations, including clearer definitions of consent, police accountability, and victim support, must be fully implemented. Comprehensive sex education should teach consent, respect, and boundaries, and must reach rural areas through trained teachers, health workers, and panchayat leaders. Local community heads and elders need sensitisation to support survivors and refer cases to the police without delay. Media persons equally need more training on sensitive issues and responsible storytelling.
The popular culture must stop glorifying toxic masculinity and adopt survivor-sensitive. Survivors not only need timely medical care but also counselling, legal aid, and shelter through well-supported government schemes. Community-led efforts, including local volunteers, NGOs, and safety initiatives, can help spread awareness and create safer environments. Religious leaders will also have to play a major role in bringing sensitivity to society. Workplaces and institutions must move beyond compliance and actively foster safe, respectful, and empowering spaces for women. Lastly, as a parent, it is our responsibility to keep our children educated, reformed and keep vigil on their activities, make them sensitive and respectful regarding gender and moral issues.
It is high time to step up. India cannot be a superpower when its girls are unsafe in classrooms or hospitals. It cannot attract global respect if its women dread walking alone in broad daylight. No GDP growth or infrastructure boom can justify the erosion of basic human dignity. Rape is not just a legal failure; it is a moral and social one. And until we address its root causes with honesty and urgency, we will continue to read headlines like those from this month. It is time to rise beyond outrage. We must educate ourselves and others, hold institutions accountable, and build a society where no woman has to fear for her life, just for being herself. Because safety is not a privilege. It is a right. And that right must belong to every woman, everywhere, in India.
