Rakshabandhan is being celebrated today, a festival symbolizing the sacred bond between brothers and sisters, a day to celebrate the love and protection shared between siblings. However, the recent surge in violence against women across India casts a dark shadow over this joyous occasion. The horrific incident at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata is a stark reminder of the pervasive brutality women face, echoing the haunting memory of Nirbhaya.
Despite stringent laws introduced after the Nirbhaya case, the NCRB’s alarming statistics reveal a grim reality: an average of 88 rapes reported daily, with a shockingly low conviction rate. This exposes the systemic failure to protect women, rendering the ritual of Rakhi, meant to symbolize safety, hollow and ironic.
The festival evokes the image of a brother’s pledge to shield his sister. But what does this protection mean when our sisters are vulnerable to such horrific violence? In this Kali Yuga, where darkness and moral decline seem to prevail, we need brothers to embody the spirit of Krishna, who stood by Draupadi in her darkest hour.
When Draupadi was humiliated in the palace of the Kauravas, with her saree being pulled to strip her dignity away, it was Krishna who came to her aid. He extended her saree infinitely, ensuring she could not be disrobed, thus preserving her honour. Krishna, who considered Draupadi his sister, did not just offer symbolic protection; he acted decisively to defend her when she was most vulnerable.
True protection goes beyond symbolism; it involves dismantling the patriarchal structures that allow such violence to persist. It means raising boys to respect women as equals, encouraging them to stand up against misogyny, and using their positions of relative power to support and empower the women in their lives. This cultural shift must happen in our homes, schools, workplaces, and communities.
The battle against gender-based violence is complex and multifaceted, with deep-rooted societal, cultural, and systemic causes that should not deter us from taking action. The persistence and unity of both men and women are crucial in building a society where women can live without fear.
Organised activism, community education, and political advocacy are all vital avenues through which we can drive meaningful change. With persistence and unity across genders, we can build the equitable, safe future that all women deserve.
This Rakshabandhan, let us redefine the role of a brother. It must extend beyond the ritual of tying a Rakhi to standing up as protectors, advocates, and warriors for justice. We cannot celebrate this beautiful festival while turning a blind eye to the injustices our sisters endure.
Let’s draw inspiration from Krishna, who stood by Draupadi, and ensure that we do the same for our sisters today. This is not just a call for men but for everyone, across all genders, to work together with empathy and a commitment to justice. Only then can we create the lasting societal transformation that is so desperately needed and celebrate Rakshabandhan with a clear conscience.
May this Rakshabandhan inspire us all to take meaningful action, ensuring that the bond between brothers and sisters is one of true protection, respect, and unwavering support for justice.
How can we contribute to making our society a safer place for women? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Creating a safer society for women requires a comprehensive approach: dismantling systemic gender inequality, ensuring strict enforcement of laws against gender-based violence, and holding perpetrators accountable. This also means actively challenging misogyny in all forms, from everyday sexism to institutional discrimination. It involves educating boys and men about respect, consent, and healthy masculinity, while amplifying women’s voices and experiences. Supporting policies that promote women’s safety, such as accessible reporting mechanisms and survivor support services, is critical. Ultimately, safety is achieved by fostering a culture of zero tolerance for violence and discrimination against women.
Innovative solutions for a safer society for women can include tech-enabled safety tools, safe space initiatives in public areas, bystander intervention training, gamified consent education, data-driven urban planning, anonymous reporting systems, workplace safety certifications, and AI-based threat detection. These approaches integrate technology, education, and community engagement to enhance safety and accountability.
While these efforts are essential, potential challenges (cons) include resistance from those who benefit from maintaining the status quo, the need for widespread cultural change, and the possible backlash from those who perceive these initiatives as threatening their freedoms or beliefs.
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Thanks, Joel. I like your ideas about, combining systemic change with innovative solutions, especially Safe Space Initiatives, Bystander Intervention Training, Gamified Consent Education, and Data-Driven Urban Planning. The path to a safer society for women is complex and fraught with challenges, but by combining systemic change with innovative approaches, it’s possible to create an environment where women can live free from fear of violence or discrimination.
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Very sensitive subject, no doubt. The steps mentioned above by all the commentators are absolutely important to make our society a better place for women. However, sex education and enforcement of a strict law alone is not sufficient. Root cause for gender based violence in our country is gender inequality, emarging from our patriarchal society where men have power over women. This male dominated power structure needs to be removed. What can you expect from a society in which Khap panchayat and honour killing is still a regular occurrence?
Misogynistic temperament even among educated men is not rare. Many of thise educated do still believe in old fashioned values. Therefore, as you said parents need to have a major role in bringing up their male kids with a strong family value of respecting womenfolk. From tender age they should be trained to believe that every women crossing through their lives have equal rights, they cannot be forced to do things against their wishes and respecting their opinion is equally imoortant. If need be, a separate school syllabus can be introduced.
Govt should invest more in organisations working for Women’s rights and focus on women’s political and economic empowerment. There should be specific policies and administrative practices encouraging more women participation in Forces, especially in police service and also as civic police. Community task force should be created involving both men and women in preventing violence against women in neighbourhood. Many such ideas can be implemented if there is a political will.
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You’ve highlighted a crucial point: dismantling patriarchal power structures is essential to addressing the root causes of gender-based violence. While laws and education are necessary, they are not sufficient on their own. The deep-seated cultural norms that perpetuate gender inequality must be challenged, and this starts at home, in schools, and through broader societal reforms.
Educating boys from a young age to respect women as equals, promoting women’s participation in law enforcement and other traditionally male-dominated fields, and ensuring that community efforts include both men and women are all powerful steps toward creating a more just and equitable society. Political will and sustained commitment to these goals are key to making lasting change.
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Nice article and very apt in the current situation. Thanks, Indrajit for your article,
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Thanks, Nilanjana.
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Beautiful story of Droupadi . It’s not only a ritual for us but it’s a kind of special love which makes a strong bond between sisters and brothers. Well shared 💐 thanks 🙏 happy Rakhi purnima.
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Thanks, Priti. Wish you a happy Rakhi Purnima.
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Thank you 🙏😊
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A beautiful and timely article! Laws are stringent, but not their implementation.
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Thank you, that’s true. We need to teach our boys at home, in school, and within the community to respect women and those who may be different from them.
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As your commentators have already said, it’s about educating boys to respect women, and having a multitude of support policies and laws in place, and ensuring those laws are enforced.
When I first came across the festival of Rakshabandhan in Nepal, many years ago, I was told that an important part of the festival was that often men without sisters would make the vows of protection for women without brothers – a sort of adopting a sister thing. Is that also the case in India?
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Many men get Rakhi tied by the girls in the neighbourhood. It does not need to be a biological sister.
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Ah, it is, then. I thought it might be.
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I doubt if these are new suggestions. The question will be – how? How to change centuries-old embedded mindsets? 😦
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Your concern is genuine. Suggestions are not new; strict laws have been in place since the Nirbhaya incident. However, we must continually emphasize that real change starts from within each individual. True progress will only occur when society embraces this mindset. Meanwhile, we must remain vigilant in enforcing these laws and promoting ideas of equality and safety. Media and entertainment channels should also play a crucial role by refraining from glorifying toxic masculinity. An all-encompassing approach is essential.
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Well said
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Thanks 👍
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Breaking the Silence: A Thought on the Root Causes of Rape in India.
I’ve been reflecting on the deeply troubling issue of rape in India, and I believe that we need to address some uncomfortable truths if we are to make any real progress in tackling this societal menace.
In our society, sex is often treated as a taboo subject. This silence and the cultural emphasis on a woman’s virginity as a prerequisite for marriage create an environment where natural sexual desires are repressed rather than discussed openly and healthily. For both men and women, this repression can have severe consequences.
For men, this taboo can result in a lack of healthy outlets for sexual desires, which, when combined with other social factors like toxic masculinity and lack of education, can lead to the horrendous act of rape. When sex is treated as something dirty or forbidden, it can create a twisted mindset where men might attempt to satisfy their desires through force rather than consent.
On the other hand, for women, the immense societal pressure to remain a virgin until marriage often leads to underreporting of sexual assaults. The fear of being judged, ostracized, or deemed ‘impure’ prevents many women from coming forward and seeking justice.
I understand that this is a complex and sensitive issue with many layers, including cultural, legal, and educational aspects. But if we don’t talk about the roots of the problem, how can we hope to solve it? Perhaps it’s time we start addressing sex education more openly, challenge the stigmas associated with it, and create a society where conversations about consent and healthy sexual behavior are normalized.
Don’t consider these ideas as an excuse for the heinous crime of rape, but as a potential starting point for understanding and preventing it. As I believe that meaningful change begins with difficult conversations.
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Thank you for raising these crucial points.
Could you please elaborate on the concept of promoting healthy outlets for sexual desires? I’m particularly interested in understanding how this can be done without inadvertently encouraging prostitution or promiscuity.
I wholeheartedly agree that sex education is essential. Unfortunately, many people today rely on pornography as their primary source of information about sex. While not all pornographic content depicts rape, the issue lies in the lack of comprehensive, age-appropriate education about sex, relationships, and consent. Without proper guidance, young people may develop distorted perceptions of sex and consent, leading to serious consequences.
However, I believe that sex education alone is insufficient. We must also teach our children to respect and treat each other with kindness and dignity. This is fundamental to challenging the toxic patriarchy that underlies many societal problems, including sexual violence. Toxic masculinity, rooted in patriarchal norms, often leads to violence and disrespect towards women. Dismantling these harmful structures is essential for creating a safer and more equitable society.
By addressing these issues holistically—through education, cultural change, and the promotion of respect and empathy—we can make significant progress in combating not only rape but also the broader societal problems that contribute to it. By implementing these strategies, you can ensure that vendors align their priorities with yours and deliver the quality, service, and support you require.
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Promoting Healthy Outlets for Sexual Desires: A Pragmatic Approach for India
You’ve highlighted a crucial point regarding the feasibility of promoting healthy outlets for sexual desires in India. The idea isn’t about endorsing prostitution or promiscuity—these are complex issues with deep social roots and are topics in itself to discuss. Instead, it’s about creating an environment where young adults can explore their sexuality in a healthy, respectful manner, free from the stigma and taboos that currently dominate Indian society.
Education and Cultural Change: We must recognize that comprehensive sex education is still lacking, especially for economically and socially weaker sections. This education should not only cover the basics of sex but also encourage discussions about consent, respect, and building healthy relationships. Unfortunately, our society’s cultural taboos often prevent these critical conversations.
Opportunities for Healthy Relationships: In the Indian context, promoting healthy outlets means creating opportunities for young adults to form respectful, consensual relationships. This involves challenging the existing taboos around premarital relationships and sexual exploration. While this is a gradual process, it’s essential to start by normalizing these conversations within families, schools, and communities.
Addressing the Taboo: The lack of opportunities for healthy sexual exploration is a significant issue. When young adults are denied the space to explore their sexuality in a healthy way, it often leads to frustration, misinformation, and unhealthy behaviors. As you said and I fully agree, by integrating sex education with broader social and cultural changes, we can begin to dismantle the taboo around sex and create a more supportive environment for young people.
In summary, both of us are, perhaps, saying the same thing in different languages, promoting healthy sexual outlets in India is about education, creating opportunities for healthy relationships, and gradually shifting cultural norms. It’s a long-term effort, but one that is essential for the well-being of our society.
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Indro, most of the comments have significantly covered the broader aspects of the issue. I have nothing new to add. Just to inform that in Mumbai, there’s an NGO called UnTaboo which is doing some good work in the area of sex education at school level (ages 12-18) through classroom as well as e-learning… Deepika created their first set of modules and I helped in designing them.
One aspect that bothers me is the time taken to complete the judicial process, sometimes more than a few years… It should be quick (one month) and exemplary punishment including capital punishment in cases like Nirbhaya and Kolkata, which ranks as most heinous.
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Your perspective on the necessity of early sex education and fostering mutual respect among boys and girls is crucial. Introducing these topics during puberty can help dismantle harmful stereotypes and ensure that children grow up with a healthy understanding of sexual differences, respect, and consent. Workshops in schools and communities would be instrumental in creating a more informed and empathetic society.
Regarding the justice system, the delayed and often ineffective delivery of justice in cases of sexual violence is indeed a significant issue. The systemic flaws—whether due to bureaucratic red tape, a lack of resources, or societal pressures—often result in delayed justice, which, as you rightly said, is tantamount to justice being denied. Addressing these flaws requires a multifaceted approach, including legal reform, better law enforcement, and a cultural shift in how these issues are perceived and handled.
It’s important to continue advocating for these changes to create a more just and equitable society.
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