India is drowning in news of violence against women. Each week, another story breaks — a schoolgirl harassed in broad daylight, a wife burned alive for dowry, a pregnant woman murdered by her husband, a child raped by those barely out of boyhood themselves. These are not scattered incidents; they are a relentless reminder that for countless women and girls, life here is lived under constant threat.
According to the National Commission for Women report quoted by The Times of India, more than 6,200 complaints of domestic violence were filed in 2024 alone. Nearly 17 per cent of these complaints were related to dowry, and nearly 292 dowry deaths were recorded in the same period. Behind every number is a story of brutality, often silenced before it even reaches the public eye.

Four different stories, one brutal reality

West Bengal: Middle-aged man harasses schoolgirl

In Hooghly district, a middle-aged man molested a Class 3 schoolgirl in a sweets shop. He kissed her and forced his finger into her mouth while her grandmother, just a few feet away, was unaware. People kept entering and exiting but no one noticed what was happening. This disgusting act came to light through the shop’s CCTV footage. Though a case has been filed under the POCSO Act, the incident underlines that women and little girls are not safe even in the most public and crowded places.

Greater Noida: Woman burnt alive for dowry

Nikki Bhati was set on fire and killed allegedly by her husband Vipin Bhati and his family. Why? Because she failed to provide ₹36 lakh in dowry. Nikki used to run a beauty parlour along with her sister and also enjoyed posting reels online, but her attempts to live life were met with violence. The case is chilling on its own, but to know that Nikki’s son witnessed her death makes it even more horrifying. Vipin, his brother Rohit, and his parents are now in custody.

Hyderabad: Man murders pregnant wife, chops body into pieces

In Hyderabad, a man strangled his five-month-pregnant wife, chopped her body into pieces, and threw them into the Musi River. Mahendra Reddy even lodged a false missing person’s complaint to hide his crime. Mahendra allegedly harassed his wife Swathi for dowry, and the couple used to have frequent arguments. After the cops caught Mahendra, he confessed to the crime. According to Malkajgiri DCP PV Padmaja, Mahendra had planned the murder in advance.

Panchkula: Minor raped by four juveniles, 20-year-old man

In Panchkula, four juveniles and a 20-year-old man gangraped a 14-year-old minor repeatedly. The abuse only came to light when her pregnancy was discovered and she gave birth. Medical staff then alerted the authorities. What’s shocking is one of the accused is the girl’s maternal uncle. Police have arrested the 20-year-old man and sent the two minors to a juvenile home, while the other two are on the run.

What is ruining society – feminism or rampant violence against women?

These countless crimes against women are part of an entrenched culture of violence against women, fuelled by patriarchal entitlement. And yet, society thinks feminists are the enemy, not abusers. Every time women demand safer laws, stricter punishments, or even basic equality, cries of “feminism has gone too far” erupt. Feminists apparently destroy families, emasculate men, and import “Western” values. These accusations trend all over again after even a single incident of violence against men makes headlines.

The irony is brutal: men kill women for dowry, harass children, rape minors, and dismember their wives. But the supposed villain is not the patriarchy that enables this violence. It’s the movement that dares to question it.

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