The number of rapes have been on the rise.
On the seventh anniversary of the gruesome Nirbhaya rape case in December 2019 when the rapists were hanged.
The Print’s Shahbaz Ansar
spoke men on the streets of Delhi to know why they thought rapes were happening.
The answers were shocking because it proved
that the attitudes and mindset of people have hardly changed.
To his question about why rapes happen, men replied,
rapes happen because of girls.
They wear revealing clothes, wear short dresses and there is a lot of skin show.
All this excites men. Which is why it leads to rapes. It's not the man's fault.
If the girls dress decently
and they do not roam out in malls and return home on time, then they won't be any rapes.
Some even said its the government's mistake.
The governments must shut down factories producing revealing clothes.
But the government doesn't, which is why rapes happen.
According to some, clothes are not the only problem.
Girls stay out late go to parties, which leads to rapes.
Women drink, smoke, which also lead to rapes.
Girls hang out with many male friends, which also causes rapes.
If a man stays out late for work it is okay but women must be home on time.
Women are oppressed, forced to dress decently in salwar kameez or sarees with no skin showing and remain at home.
It is better to stay at home to avoid rape.
Ansar said according to the men, it is okay for the boys to smoke, drink and stay out late.
But women must not do all this. They should stay at home.
Shahbaz Ansar was shocked to hear these answers.
The men said that women must follow Indian culture.
Men treat women as Goddesses but they don't understand that they are curbing the basic rights of a woman.
Such hypocrisy!
While talking to the men, Ansar said that the men are stuck in their ways
and do not understand that a woman has the right to dress the way she wants and go where she wants.
Many men even said that rape is consensual. It is girls who invites the boys. Men do not force women.
Ansar was disgusted by these remarks.
Men said that women must be kept at home. If they are raped they would ruin the family's honour.
They must be locked up at home till their married to ensure the family's reputation is intact.
Women must stay home and dress decently.