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)