Naked Among Wolves: The Stark Reality Behind Modi’s ‘Beti Bachao’ Rhetoric – OpEd
In the vast landscape of Indian political propaganda, the “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” (Save the Girl Child, Educate the Girl Child) campaign stands out as a beacon of hope—or so it seems. Promoted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, this initiative ostensibly aims to protect and empower India’s daughters. However, beneath the surface of this noble rhetoric lies a grim reality that exposes the deep-seated issues of gender-based violence and systemic oppression in India. Through a sociological lens, we can dissect the layers of this crisis and reveal how political slogans mask the ongoing exploitation and abuse of women and girls.
The Stark Statistics of Sexual Violence
The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reported over 28,000 cases of rape in India in 2020 alone. Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan lead this dismal tally with 3,065 and 3,035 reported cases, respectively. Furthermore, child molestation remains rampant, with 19,473 cases of child rape reported in the same year. Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra recorded the highest numbers, with 3,065 and 1,860 cases, respectively. These figures, although alarming, likely underrepresent the true extent of sexual violence due to societal stigma and fear of retaliation that keep many cases from being reported.
Case Study: Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh
Consider the case of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, a former chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and a prominent BJP figure. Despite substantial evidence, including a detailed 1,000-page chargesheet filed by the Delhi police, Singh has faced minimal legal repercussions for his alleged abuses, which include outraging a woman’s modesty, sexual harassment, and criminal intimidation. The Sports and Rights Alliance (SRA) highlighted the systemic failures that allowed Singh’s predatory behavior to continue unchecked for over a decade. Their report criticizes the Indian Olympic Association for its lack of support for the victimized wrestlers and calls for a transparent investigation into the full scope of Singh’s abuses and the systems that enabled them.
Political Dimension: A Culture of Impunity
The reluctance of the ruling regime to hold powerful individuals accountable reflects a culture of impunity that pervades the Indian political system. The election of Singh’s close associate Sanjay Singh as the new WFI chief underscores the lack of genuine systemic reform. This perpetuation of power dynamics ensures that the status quo remains unchallenged, further entrenching the cycle of abuse and exploitation.
Economic Exploitation: The Vulnerability of Working Women
Economic exploitation compounds the plight of working women and domestic help, who often find themselves at the mercy of their employers. These women, predominantly from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, are vulnerable to sexual harassment and abuse in their workplaces. The fear of losing their livelihoods and the lack of effective legal protections force many to endure these indignities in silence. This economic vulnerability, coupled with the pervasive culture of silence, perpetuates a cycle of abuse and poverty.
Human Rights Violations: Systemic Failures
Despite legal frameworks like the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, justice remains elusive for many victims. The case of a 10-year-old girl in Maharashtra, repeatedly raped by a neighbour, highlights the systemic failures of the justice system. Her family faced numerous hurdles in getting the police to take swift action, and the trial has dragged on for years, with the accused out on bail, further endangering the child and her family. Such delays and inadequacies in the legal process reflect a profound disregard for the rights and dignity of victims.
Sociological Analysis: Deep-Rooted Patriarchal Norms
Societal norms and deeply ingrained patriarchal structures exacerbate these issues. Women and girls who come forward with their stories often face victim-blaming and social ostracism. The “Beti Bachao” campaign, while noble in its intent, fails to address these underlying cultural biases. Its focus on saving and educating girl children does not extend to ensuring their safety and well-being as they grow. Education alone cannot dismantle the entrenched societal structures that perpetuate gender-based violence.
The sociological perspective reveals that the problem is not merely a legal or political one but a deeply entrenched cultural issue. Patriarchy in India manifests in various forms—from the preference for male children to the normalization of gender-based violence. The “Beti Bachao” rhetoric does little to challenge these norms and often ends up as a performative gesture rather than a transformative initiative.
The Need for Comprehensive Reform
The true solution lies in a comprehensive approach that tackles the root causes of gender inequality. This includes reforming the police and judicial systems to ensure swift and impartial justice, implementing robust protections for whistleblowers and survivors, and fostering a cultural shift that values and respects women as equals. It requires a fundamental transformation of societal attitudes towards gender and a commitment to dismantling the patriarchal structures that sustain these injustices.
International Responsibility
The international community must recognize the gravity of the situation and hold the Indian government accountable for its failure to protect its citizens. The global audience, including policymakers, human rights advocates, and international organizations, must press for tangible actions that go beyond mere rhetoric. This includes supporting grassroots movements and civil society organizations that work tirelessly to combat gender-based violence and advocate for the rights of women and girls.
Comments from women protagonists
Women’s rights activists and political leaders have been vocal about the urgent need for systemic change. Kavita Krishnan, a prominent women’s rights activist, emphasizes, “The real change will come when we dismantle the patriarchal structures that enable these atrocities. We need comprehensive policies that protect women and ensure justice.” Arundhati Roy, an acclaimed Indian author and activist, highlights the urgency of addressing gender justice: “The fight for gender justice is a fight for our collective humanity. We cannot ignore the voices of young women and children who suffer in silence. It’s our duty to stand up and demand change.”
Malala Yousafzai, a global advocate for girls’ education, underscores the importance of safeguarding young women and children from sexual violence and harassment: “Every girl deserves to feel safe and protected. We must work together to create environments where young women can thrive without fear of violence or abuse.”
Beyond Rhetoric
The true legacy of the “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” campaign will not be measured by the number of slogans shouted or posters plastered across walls, but by the tangible improvements in the lives of women and girls. It will be reflected in a society where every girl can grow up free from fear, where her rights are respected, and her potential is fully realized. Only then can we say that we have truly saved our daughters from the wolves of patriarchy.
In sum, the global community must not be swayed by the Modi government’s lofty rhetoric. It must recognize the harsh realities faced by Indian women and girls, demand accountability, and support efforts to create a just and equitable society. Only through collective action and unwavering commitment can we hope to dismantle the patriarchal structures that continue to oppress and exploit women in India. The active role of women’s rights activists and political leaders is crucial in this fight for justice and equality. Their voices, combined with international pressure, can drive the necessary changes to protect and empower women and girls in India.
Mr. Chakrabarti, with all due respect to your academics and career, I find this article pretty lame. You state, Mr. Modi has a slogan to save girls and have them study, nothing else.. You ask us to wait and see, hopefully there will be another article in 5 yrs from you to see if Mr. Modi has made any progress on this.
Repeating what the previous comment has remarked for Mr. Chakrabarti, with all due respect for him being an academic. Modi’s slogan the “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” (Save the Girl Child, Educate the Girl Child) compared all our neighbours and the Muslim world is success though aim is not to compare with this world which is far behind India. Similar is the case with another slogan “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan” (Clean India Campaign).Modi can show the way and lead but it is for the citizens to implement.
Mr. Chakrabarti, you may like to ask CM Didi what has she done on both these mission slogans? Or is it just to do nothing and oppose what ever PM Modi says or advocates. All need to their duty than to shift blames. The problem is the world admires India but the few academics within India and outside are critical of everything what Modi or India stands for.