E-Paper
‘Rise in rapes linked to feudal mindset, lack of fear of law’
Social activists have linked the rise in rape cases in Madhya Pradesh to an absence of the fear of the law, money triggering criminal intent and unrelenting feudal mindset.
Social activists have linked the rise in rape cases in Madhya Pradesh to an absence of the fear of the law, money triggering criminal intent and unrelenting feudal mindset.
They said in a majority of cases, it was found that the criminals didn’t have the fear of the law. Some of them believed they could manage everything with the power of money and others carried forward the age-old I-want-it-you-obey feudal mindset.
They said if the three factors were addressed, the number of rape cases would come down.
The activists were responding to the NCRB report putting MP top on the country’s rape list.
Action Aide regional manager Sarika Sinha said, “ In Bundelkhand and Chambal region, women still face maximum harassment due to feudalistic approach. People have money and power which they use to victimize women the most.”
The poor rate of conviction is another reason, she said. “The conviction rate of rape accused in India is 24% and in MP, 19%. Due to narrow mindedness, women also withdraw their cases,” she said.
“Without change in policies of the government, the situation can’t be improved. By launching the scheme like Ladli Laxmi and Kanyadan Yojna, the government is trying to give special treatment to girls but the state government is not doing anything to bring about a change in the mindset towards women,” said Rolly Shivhare, a women activist.
But, there are some experts who are taking the rise in rape cases as a positive trend. Madhya Pradesh Women Commission former chairperson Upma Rai said, “I will call it (the rise in) awareness among women because more women are coming forward to lodge complaint with the police. Earlier, women were not able to lodge a complaint with the police because they felt ashamed of visiting a police station. But, now they can lodge a complaint even on phone.”
Shameful numbers
MP tops in number of cognizable crime cases registered against juvenile with 6346 cases.
MP is also leading in total number of foeticide in the country with 30 cases out 101 cases reported from India.
MP is also on top in crime against children with 15,085.
The maximum number of cognizable crimes registered in MP in the year 2014.
The 2,72,423 cases were registered in MP followed by Maharashtra (2,49,834) and Uttar Pradesh (2,40,475).
(According to NCRB)
