In the quiet, suburban streets of Pune's Mahalunge, a heinous crime unfolded on September 22 that sent shockwaves through the country. An 85-year-old woman, in the tranquil sanctuary of her own residential building, was brutally raped by a 23-year-old man. The accused, Om Jayachandra Puri, an electrician, not only violated her physically but also attempted to take her life.

This horrific crime is not merely an isolated act of sexual violence but a chilling indicator of the moral degradation that is affecting our society. An elderly woman in her golden years deserved to be treated with dignity and respect, but instead, she was subjected to one of the most heinous crimes she could have ever imagined in her life.

A few months ago, a similar incident happened in Bareilly district in Uttar Pradesh. An 85-year-old woman was raped by a 35-year-old man, who was caught red-handedly by her daughter-in-law. The woman could not survive the shock she endured at an age where she expected everyone to respect and love her. Incidentally, the accused in both cases were found to be under the influence of alcohol.

It is a matter of shame for us as a country that deludes itself for being praised for its familial care and respect for our elders and women. Such brutal attacks expose the stark contrast between our so-called values and the reality of the violence that plagues our society, irrespective of their age. Be it children, young adolescents, women or the elderly, no one seems to be safe anywhere. From home to neighbourhood to our workplaces, it seems we are now surrounded by people who find it difficult to maintain humanity.

Women are blamed for the sexual crimes that are inflicted upon them. It is common to hear narratives like "women are themselves responsible if they are raped," "women who wear short clothes invite men to rape them," or "she might have done something to gain the man's attention," or "why did she go alone in the night when it is common knowledge that women are not safe alone" and so on.

Such baseless statements demean the existence and character of women and reduce them to mere tools of sexual gratification. Instead of looking within, identifying and solving the larger issues affecting our society, we find it convenient to blame the victims, perpetuating the trauma they have gone through, ensuring that they are not left with a single chance to come back to normal life.

So is the case with children. From a few days old to young adolescents, the crime rate is only increasing in every corner of this country. And now we know even the elderly are not safe.

A recent report by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reveals a grim picture of crimes against women in India. The country recorded 4,45,256 cases in 2022, which means 51 cases every hour. The report showed that 31,516 cases of rape were reported, indicating one rape every 16 minutes. Is this the picture of a "Viksit Bharat?"

Nonetheless, the authorities have provided for stricter punishment in such cases, including a minimum sentence of 10 years with a possibility of life imprisonment or the death penalty in case the victim is younger than 12. Still, the numbers have remained high over the last 5-6 years. In other words, even stricter punishments have not deterred heinous crimes like rape and sexual assault.

Are the existing systems enough? Of course, all reported cases undergo investigation by law enforcement agencies in due course. However, given the pace at which such cases are resolved, there is no guarantee that the accused will be convicted and punished. Small wonder that the conviction rate in such cases is as low as 26 per cent. It is the second lowest rate recorded for five serious crimes, including murder, kidnapping, rioting, and causing grievous hurt.

Many would say it is difficult to stop such crimes in a country like India, which is highly populated and humongous in its size. Many claim that we have the best laws in place, and even if such crimes happen, justice will be served.

Some people trivialise such crimes by saying, "Should rape cases lead to hanging? Boys are boys, they make mistakes." Such statements are not given by ordinary people but even by those responsible for legislative business in the country. If our legislators operate through a lens of gender bias and skewed worldview, how can we ensure a safe space for our women, irrespective of their age!

In fact, such incidents are often treated as political opportunities to malign a particular government or a ruling dispensation. A few others view it as an opportunity to garner votes by promising a much safer and less violent world for women. In fact, many schemes such as the One-stop Centre and Nirbhaya Fund were announced to ensure the safety of women. But have these schemes served any purpose so far?

Reports suggest that only 40 per cent of the money allocated for One Stop centres has been used so far. The Nirbhaya fund has also been gasping for aid. In other words, band-aid solutions suggested under public pressure often do not produce the intended results. They are announced to appease the protestors, who demand justice for the victims.

Unfortunately, no one looks at the deeper and larger issues that are affecting our lives on an everyday basis. They are gradually eroding our value system like a termite, weakening our social fabric, and normalising crime. It is high time we as a nation wake up to the crisis facing our society. These atrocities cannot be dismissed as isolated incidents but are symptomatic of a deeper societal decay.

It is time to introspect, look beyond legal measures and remedies, and hold ourselves accountable for the constant moral degradation that has weakened our foundation, which rested in love, compassion, respect, and dignity for each other. Our children, women, and elderly certainly deserve a better and just world. It is our responsibility to provide a safe place for them.