Domestic violence and extramarital affairs are increasingly common in India. Though domestic violence or intimate partner violence and extra-marital affairs is a worldwide problem, India is the most dangerous country in the world for women according to a survey carried out by Thomson Reuters. This goes to show that domestic violence is a major issue, especially in India more often than not owing to dowry.
According to the 2014 study in The Lancet, the reported sexual violence rate in the country is among the lowest in the world. However, considering the large population of the country means that violence affects 27.5 million women over their lifetimes.
As per National Family and Health Survey in 2005, overall lifetime prevalence of domestic violence was 33.5% and 8.5% for sexual violence among women aged 15–49. In all the cases, only women are being badly affected by men. Domestic abuse can be in any form of physical, emotional and sexual violence.
A 1999 study observed that domestic abuse was recorded in five districts of northern India during 1995–1996. The study further added that domestic abuse ranged from 18% to 45% in those five districts.
We might believe that ‘dowry’ days have gone now but it still exists. It is 2020 and yet the evil practice still prevails in several parts of India. Married women have often been a target for dowry related violence because she is tied economically and socially to her new husband. Accepting or giving dowry is not acceptable by any means.
Man allegedly burns Wife’s private parts
Recent studies show that domestic violence increased considerably since the lockdown began. In shocking incident, a man in Bengaluru allegedly burned his wife’s private parts over dowry. It has been learnt that the woman didn’t get money from her parents and the man got annoyed for the same and took an extreme step by burning his wife’s private parts.
The shocking incident took place in their home in Ramamurthy Nagar on October 7. The accused’s name is identified as Sooraj Singh, who owns a paan shop. Sooraj is on the run while his wife is being treated at the hospital.
Last year, Sooraj got married and has been forcing his wife for dowry. When she told her husband to give back all valuables that her parents had given, it was when an argument allegedly started. At that time, the man lost his temper and allegedly poured kerosene on her and then set her on fire as reported by TOI. Soon as the neighbours heard the screams, they came to her rescue. She was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
On October 9, her parents filed a complaint. Sooraj’s mother was reportedly at home when the shocking incident happened. Both escaped when the neighbours came. The police are in the hunt to capture them.
A year ago, a woman in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar town was gang-raped by her husband and brother-in-law over ‘dowry’. Now, in another shocking incident, a man from UP allegedly put up his wife’s picture and number online asking men to pay for ‘Sex’. It has been learnt that the man was not satisfied as his demand for dowry were not met.