dna edit: Violent twist in the narrative

The nature and frequency of crimes, if studied diligently, can throw light on the direction a society is headed. While some crimes are driven by greed and passion intrinsic to human nature the rest are often seen as violent responses to the deep divisions, inequalities and cruelties that drive people to take extreme steps. India, a developing economy in the throes of globalisation, has witnessed a spurt in crime in the recent years because of the complex realities emerging from a society in churning. Some of these realities can be gauged in the increased participation of women in crime, or to put it precisely, with more women being arrested for criminal activities. The National Crime Records Bureau statistics show that Maharashtra with 90,884 women booked for various crimes under the IPC between 2010 and 2012 tops the list in the country, followed by 57,406 arrests in Andhra Pradesh and 49,333 arrests in Madhya Pradesh. The data compiled in these three years show a significant rise in crimes by women every year in Maharashtra. What began as 30,118 cases in 2010, rose to 30,159 in 2011 and then shot to 30,607 cases the following year.

Most of these cases fall under the category of ‘cruelty by the husband or his  relatives’ under section 498 (A) of the IPC, which allows a victim of domestic abuse to seek help of the law. The rise in crimes committed by women can be seen in the context of their continued oppression and the strengthening of patriarchy in society. Some would even describe this phenomenon as ‘retaliatory violence’. After years of being ill-treated and tortured by husbands and in-laws for dowry, women are finally standing up for their rights. Though this has led to arrests of the guilty, one should not discount that like all laws, even 498 (A) has been prone to misuse.  

Arguably, in a society which practices active discrimination against females, even eliminating them before birth, social disorders are bound to increase. The increasing crimes committed by women could be one of its manifestations. A report released by the Criminal Investigation Department reveals that in 2012 Maharashtra witnessed an increase in instances of infanticide and feticide by 267 per cent and 83 per cent, respectively, over the previous year, while cases of rape and child rape galloped by 8 per cent and 12 per cent. Other violent crimes against women too have shot up by 13.1 per cent.

It’s common knowledge that the vulnerable sections suffer most in a society marked by deep social and economic divisions. Women, like Dalits and tribals, fall in the category of the vulnerable people. The process of economic restructuring that began after 1992, while opening up more avenues for women, has also hurt them in several ways. Gender discrimination is rampant in both education and employment. The number of girl drop-outs continues  to be higher than boys. Driven to the informal sectors, women continue to be paid less than men. This process of churning has also altered the family dynamic. More and more women are now being forced to fend for themselves and their families. With the scope of earning a livelihood shrinking, crime, for women, appears to be desperate way out of a situation of poverty.

All said and done, in India men hugely outnumber women in criminal activities the former is responsible for 94 per cent of the cases. However, what is frightening is how crime begets crime, drawing men and women into a vicious cycle.