80 Year Old Woman Raped By A 22 Year Old In Bilhaur, Why Are We Failing To Halt Rapes In India?

In a disturbing case, an 80-year-old woman was allegedly raped by a 22-year-old relative in Bilhaur, Uttar Pradesh recently. The perpetrator, identified as Amit Gautam, was drunk when he entered the victim’s house while she was asleep and raped his grandmother. He even physically assaulted her as well, resulting in the loss of one of her teeth. On her outcry for help, he fled the scene.

An FIR was filed, and the accused was arrested under sections 376 (rape), 325 (punishment for voluntarily causing grievous hurt), and 452 (whoever commits house-trespass, with an intention of assault or any wrongful restraint) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

As a journalist, staying abreast of national happenings, diving into newspapers, and digital platforms, absorbing all the news has been a little these years. However, lately, it's been a struggle. The dread of encountering a social media post or the front page report of yet another crime against women unsettles me. While I have covered countless stories around women's issues in the past, each new sexual assault report leaves me struggling with one question: Why? Why do perpetrators persist? Why, as a nation, are we failing to provide women with the fundamental right to safety?

Why The Silence On Questioning Now?

Unfortunately, in India, people are quick to point fingers at rape victims; with comments like 'What were you wearing’? ‘Why were you out at that hour’? "Why were you with your male friend’? ‘Were you giving him any hints’?, and so on, the blame game scrutiny just doesn't end.

Now when a horrific crime where a young relative sexually assaults his grandmother in an intoxicated state is reported, it makes us wonder: where are the victim-blamers now?

The stark reality is that it was never about a woman's clothing, behaviour, or associations, it has always been about the mindset. The mindset of perpetrators in the country that they can get away with raping a woman even today is influenced by more factors than one. To begin with, the culture of impunity, a belief that no matter how grave the crime is, the failed justice system would be easy to escape. Moreover, the deep-rooted patriarchal attitude that it will be inevitable for the victims to free themselves from the consequences after reporting a crime - the stigma, retaliation, and legal and financial challenges to name a few.

Sickening remarks by our leaders, and policymakers in the past have only worsened societal attitudes. No wonder people take no shame in blaming the victims of heinous crimes. For instance, BJP leader, Babulal Gaur once made an insensitive comment on how the rate of crimes against women was correlated to their choice of dress and religious practices. Former Union Minister of Defence in India, Mulayam Singh Yadav trivialised such crimes by calling them 'mistakes' committed by boys. A horrid case like ‘Nirbhaya’ was called 'blown out of proportion' by the media, as per Delhi's former Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit. (5 Horrific Rape Cases That Shook The Nation After Nirbhaya)

These instances, among many others, have contributed to the culture of victim-blaming and impunity that persists even today.

Don't Miss: Crime Against Women No Longer Send Shivers Down Our Spine, Are We That Desensitised?

Why Are We Not Safe?

In light of the disturbing event, I spoke to women across various age groups to understand their sentiments on such crime reports.

“The fact that a 22-year-old would commit such a heinous act against an 80-year-old woman is utterly shocking and highlights the grave lack of safety and security faced by women of all ages in the country. This horrific incident is a stark reminder that every woman, regardless of age, deserves to live free from the threat of such violence, and concerted efforts are required to create a safer society for all. I feel the absence of stringent laws against such perpetrators in India is a significant barrier to achieving justice for victims of sexual violence. Authorities need to prioritise the enactment and enforcement of laws that provide swift and severe punishment for offenders. Until then, the road to justice remains elusive,” said 30-year-old Ishita.

Anu, in her late 30s, said, “The news of this horrific incident leaves me deeply troubled and questioning the sick mindset of those who commit and support such acts. It's disheartening to realise the direction our society is heading in where even an elderly woman is not safe. It’s an irony that in India we worship women during Navratri and rape them otherwise.”

“I think the same as I feel when we come across any news of rape - disgusted, unsafe, and scared to my core,” Jaya, in her early 20s, said.

"The news of an 80-year-old woman being raped by a 22-year-old in Bilhaur, leaves us with discerning shock and outrage, highlighting the urgent requirement of justice and societal change to avoid such unfortunate incidents in the future," said Sheetal, in her mid-30s.

“Being someone in my late 50s, I fear even going to a grocery store when it starts to get dark in the evening. I am constantly on a call with someone from the family till I reach home. When I come across incidents like these I have sleepless nights, I wonder if I am even safe in my own house,” said Suman.

What’s At The Horizon?

While there has been a legal framework to address women's issues in India, little has impacted a woman's life in the country. We continue to feel unsafe and uncomfortable in public spaces, and stay constantly vigilant and anxious about our safety soon after stepping out of our homes but till when?

Don't Miss: 15-Year-Old Boy Rapes A Toddler In Chhatisgarh, Where Is India Headed?

While there is a lot of optimism now being built around the new government, big expectations of an introduction of stricter punishments for perpetrators and enhanced effectiveness of law enforcement in the country, we women ponder; if that will be enough to change the collective mindset of the country towards us women. A shift on the horizon? Seems highly unlikely.

Disclaimer: Names have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals.