India has seen a disturbing rise in sexual violence, making it one of the most unsafe countries for both local and foreign women. This alarming trend has drawn international criticism and raised urgent concerns about women’s safety.
On March 2, 2024, a 28-year-old Spanish tourist was gang-raped in Jharkhand, sparking outrage and global media coverage. Such incidents are becoming alarmingly common, with reports indicating that in Modi’s India, a woman is raped every 16 minutes. However, many of these crimes remain unreported or unregistered.
According to India’s National Crime Records Bureau, 25 cases of sexual assault against foreign tourists were reported in 2022. Activists argue these numbers only scratch the surface, as systemic negligence and societal stigma deter victims from coming forward.
The issue extends to India’s armed forces, with growing cases of sexual harassment and assault within the ranks. In September 2024, a female Air Force officer accused a senior officer at Srinagar Air Force Station of rape, alleging her complaint was mishandled by authorities. Similarly, in Kanpur, an Army colonel was accused of raping a friend’s wife and subsequently went into hiding.
In occupied Kashmir, sexual violence has been weaponized by Indian security forces. Reports document over 15,000 cases of mass rapes and sexual violence since January 1989, including the 1991 Kunan Poshpora incident, where 150 women were gang-raped by Indian troops.
These incidents underscore a deep-rooted culture of sexual violence in India, exacerbated by systemic failures and a culture of impunity. Critics highlight the moral decline and lack of accountability under Prime Minister Modi’s administration, calling for urgent reforms to protect women and restore trust in the justice system.
