20 Women In Rajasthan Gang Raped In Pretext Of Job: What We Know

In a shocking case, 20 women were gangraped under the pretext of providing them with jobs in Anganwadi. The incident happened in Sirohi of Rajasthan. A case has been filed against the chairperson of the Sirohi Municipal Council in Rajasthan, Mahendra Mevada, and the former municipal council Commissioner, Mahendra Choudhary. Read on to learn more about this incident.

As per the reports, the incident came to light when a woman from Pali district approached the police and claimed that she along with 20 other women was gangraped by the accused in the guise of providing employment. 

Filming, blackmailing and more

She also claimed that the accused had filmed the sexual assault and had threatened to leak the videos on social media. She further added that the accused has been blackmailing them for money, demanding five lakh rupees. 

 The complainant said that she had travelled to Sirohi along with other women to get a job in the Anganwadi several months ago. The accused offered them accommodation and meals. However, the woman claimed, that meal was spiked with sedatives. After consuming this, the women became unconscious and the accused raped them in that state. 

After gaining consciousness, the women confronted the accused who casually said that he deceived them for their own purpose. The woman also said that the accused forced women to engage in physical relationships with him. 

Following a petition by eight women, the Rajasthan High Court has ordered that a case should be registered. The investigation into it is ongoing. 

Why rural development is crucial for India

India's development is deeply rooted in the rural upliftment. Until and unless, the rural areas of the country see a new beginning in terms of employment and education, India cannot really pose as a developed country on the global index.

No matter how many multinational companies come up in the cities, the rural areas will still remain the yardstick that will show us the reality of poverty and exploitation. 

Similarly, many people might brag about women's empowerment by seeing women CEOs, managers and employees in top companies in India. But the reality is that women still have to fight for their basic needs, especially in rural India which is still gripped by gendered culture. This case of gangrape in Sirohi in the pretext of work is not new. Women in every sector have to face this struggle in which their bodies are claimed in return for a job. Women are forced to provide sexual favours in return for employment which is their basic right. 

Why are working women made to face the extra pressure of protecting their bodies every day they go to work?

The problem is that people are still not over with the fact women deserve to earn money. They still think that women, who venture out of their homes alone, are available for being exploited sexually. Their talents, education and experience- everything comes down to the sexual favour they are willing to offer. 

People exploit women in rural areas more fearlessly because they are not educated or are not aware of their rights or regulations against workplace harassment. 

But now women are beginning to question any sort of exploitation committed against them. Women are not going to be blinded by biased upbringings that make them internalise sexual assault in return of anything that is beneficial to them. 

However, the question that still remains is why do men exploit women? Why do they take women for granted? Why do men scan women based on their sexual potential? Why can't men unlearn misogyny and start respecting women? It is these men that make it difficult, even scary, for novice women to walk on the path of employment. Struggles are everywhere. But why do women have to fight it by giving up their self-respect and bodies? Why can't employment be as easy or as hard as it is for men? What is all with the extra pressure on women? 

Views expressed are the author's own.