On August 9th, 2024, India was once again jolted by the
brutal rape and murder of a 31-year-old female doctor on duty at R.G. Kar Government
Hospital in Kolkata. The horrifying crime, drawing parallels to the Nirbhaya
case of 2012, has reignited a fierce debate about the root causes of sexual
violence in India. As the nation grapples with outrage and demands for justice,
it is imperative to confront the deeper cultural issues at play: India’s
persistent taboo on sex, the hyper-sexualization promoted by Indian cinema, and
the glaring absence of comprehensive sex education.
The Cultural Paradox:
India, the birthplace of the Kama Sutra, ironically shrouds
discussions about sex in secrecy and shame. In schools, the topic of human
reproduction is barely addressed, with boys and girls often segregated as
though acknowledging each other is taboo. This silence does more than obscure
facts; it fosters ignorance and allows dangerous myths to thrive. Deprived of
proper education, young minds often turn to unreliable sources like
pornography, which distorts their understanding of intimacy. Instead of learning
about mutual respect and consent, they internalize a twisted version of
sexuality that emphasizes dominance and objectification. This warped
understanding lays the groundwork for toxic behaviours, which can manifest in
the most violent ways, as seen in the recent tragedy in Kolkata.
The Absence of Sex Education:
Sex education in India remains a controversial topic, often
dismissed as a Western concept that threatens traditional values. However, this
perception is dangerously misguided. Comprehensive sex education is not about
promoting promiscuity; it is about equipping young people with the knowledge to
make informed decisions, understand consent, and respect boundaries. It is
about fostering healthy relationships and challenging the toxic masculinity
that fuels gender violence.
Countries like the Netherlands and Sweden, where sex
education is mandatory and begins early, have seen significant reductions in
sexual violence. In the Netherlands, where respect, consent, and healthy
relationships are taught from a young age, sexual violence rates are among the
lowest in the world. Similarly, Sweden’s comprehensive approach to sex
education has contributed to high rates of gender equality and low rates of
sexual violence. In contrast, India’s minimal approach to sex education leaves young
people uninformed and vulnerable. According to the National Family Health
Survey (NFHS-5) conducted between 2019-2021, only 12% of young women aged 15-24
reported receiving any form of sex education in school. This alarming statistic
underscores the urgent need to make comprehensive sex education a compulsory
part of the curriculum.
Sex Education and Sikkim:
The situation in Sikkim reflects the broader challenges in
India regarding sex education. A study published in the International Journal
of Current Research (https://www.journalcra.com/article/knowledge-parents-sex-education-their-adolescent-children-residing-urban-and-rural-areas) revealed that a significant majority of parents in
Sikkim, both urban and rural, are reluctant to discuss sex education with their
children. This reluctance, coupled with the lack of structured sex education
programs in schools, leaves many young people without the knowledge they need
to navigate their sexual health responsibly. Given the high number of
Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) cases reported in Sikkim,
the state government must take proactive measures to integrate comprehensive
sex education into the school curriculum. This could be a critical step toward
creating a safer, more informed society where young people are better equipped
to make informed decisions.
The Over-Sexualization of Indian Cinema:
The over-sexualization of women in Indian cinema is nothing
new; it is a tradition passed down like a family heirloom. Bollywood, along
with its southern counterparts, has perfected the art of reducing women to mere
objects of desire. Think back to "Choli Ke Peeche," an early
example of women being depicted as little more than eye candy, sparking a trend
that has only grown more grotesque over time. Today, item numbers like "Besharam
Rang" from Pathaan, "Oo Antava" from Pushpa, and the
latest entry, "Aaj Ki Raat" from Stree 2, continue this
legacy, serving up a one-dimensional image of women as objects of lust, ready
for consumption by a male-dominated audience.
But our beloved cinema does not stop at objectifying women;
it also glorifies toxic masculinity. Films like Pushpa, KGF, and the recent
Animal do not just depict male characters as aggressive—they turn them into
hyper-aggressive demigods, embodying a version of manhood that is all brawn and
no brain. The message is clear: to be a man, you must dominate, intimidate, and
assert power. And let us not forget the irony—these testosterone-fuelled films
are celebrated as "Super Hits," raking in massive box office earnings.
Contrast this with a film like OMG 2, which dared to address sex education and
masturbation—topics that actually matter—and it was met with outrage.
Apparently, discussing God in the context of sex education is more offensive
than glorifying violence and misogyny.
It is almost laughable how cinema continues to shape societal
norms, pushing the narrative that women are easily available and men are
entitled to take what they want. When movies consistently glorify these
damaging stereotypes, they send a dangerous message: that women’s bodies are
commodities, and violence is an acceptable expression of manhood. We have seen
this play out before, and yet, here we are, still lighting candles and shaking
our heads in disbelief when these on-screen fantasies turn into real-world
nightmares.
Breaking the Silence: A Path Forward
To combat the epidemic of sexual violence in India, we must
first break the silence that surrounds sex. This begins with implementing
comprehensive, age-appropriate, and inclusive sex education in schools that
extends beyond the biological aspects to cover the psychological and emotional
dimensions of human sexuality. Schools should be safe spaces where students can
ask questions and learn about sex without fear or judgment.
Parents, too, play a crucial role in this dialogue. By openly
discussing sex and relationships with their children, they can provide the
guidance needed to navigate these complex issues. The media and entertainment
industry must also take responsibility for reshaping public perceptions of sex
and gender. Positive representations of healthy, consensual relationships can
help counteract the harmful stereotypes that contribute to sexual violence.
Finally, the government must take a stand, enforcing strict
laws against sexual violence while launching public awareness campaigns that
challenge societal norms perpetuating gender inequality and violence.
In conclusion, the brutal and senseless loss of a young life
in Kolkata should ignite more than just temporary outrage—it must provoke a
deep, lasting transformation in our society. It is not enough to mourn her
death; we must confront the insidious taboos that allow such violence to
persist. The normalization of sexual violence in our culture is a stain on our
collective conscience. It is a stark indictment of a society that remains
uncomfortable discussing sex, yet eerily silent when sexual crimes occur. We
must break this cycle by promoting comprehensive sex education and fostering
open, informed dialogue about consent, respect, and equality. Only by reshaping
our cultural mindset can we hope to prevent such tragedies from recurring.
As my wife, Purnima, prepares to join the candlelight vigil
at MG Marg, I cannot help but question the effectiveness of our collective
rituals of grief. How many more candles must we light? How many more lives must
be lost before we stop merely reacting to these horrors and start enacting real
change? Our society’s memory is fleeting, but our responsibility to the victims
must be enduring. We cannot allow this tragedy to fade into the background as
so many others have. We owe it to the memory of the victim and the safety of
future generations to demand and build a safer, more just society.
(The writer
is an Engineer working in the Transport Department, Government of Sikkim and also
a standup comedian. Views are personal. Email: saroj.yuv@gmail.com)
