Blog 2: Violence in India cause by Inequalities

Through the attempts of solving the economic gap, the gap seems to just be getting bigger.  One can leave their neighborhood in their Bentley, passing million-dollar home after million-dollar home, turn right, drive about two more blocks down the road and they then begin to pass broken shack after broken shake.  It is not this way only in the US.  We are seeing it more and more in places like China and India.  We are now seeing those on top ignoring the economic crisis making the gap bigger, along with creating violence.

This gap of inequality has created huge masses of violence in India; so much violence that it is making the headlines.  There has seemed to be a connection between rape in India due to poverty and inequality.  India economist, Jayati Chosh states when asked about the country potentially falling further behind: “we will face political and social chaos on a mass scale, and an increase in violence against women, as we are already seeing.”   He also states that violence has increased due to the huge inequality.  Young unemployed men see “no future” for themselves.  They begin to think that they aren’t good enough and start hanging around the streets.  They often see others flaunting and enjoying their wealth and it begins to affect these young men, driving them crazy.  They take their anger out on women or those of lower statuses.  Politician Jaya Jaitely, also states:  “social inequality was one of the reasons for the rapes-the rapist also wanted to subjugate somebody.”  Young men also see themselves above women, seeing women as property, thinking they have a right to do as they please. 

So what now?  How does India stop all the violence?  They are now enforcing tough laws (some rap cases punishable by death), agitated judges and angry street protests.  However, these attempts are not working because the fundamental reasons for this violence are not addressed.  This violence won’t stop unless the inequality among women and the inequality among economic status’ are addressed and fixed. 

Hannah Bay Snider

09-19-13

9:11 am

 http://www.firstpost.com/india/stopping-rape-in-india-its-important-to-fix-poverty-inequality-as-well-1103255.html