Following the recent rape and murder of a young veterinarian in Hyderabad, YouTuber Bhuvan Bam has released a video on his popular channel BB Ki Vines highlighting the need for real reform rather than just social media outrage. “You are busy organising candlelight marches. Tomorrow you’ll post a Facebook status and forget about the matter,” he says in the video.
Watch the sketch here:
The five-minute satirical sketch illustrates how women are burdened with the onus of ensuring their own safety, and are casually offered advice such as to carry pepper spray, avoid certain areas where men congregate, and take up self-defence. It also reminds audiences that women of all ages end up being raped, even children.
The video addresses the common misconceptions around rape that are often used to victim blame such as the woman was wearing revealing clothing, that she had been out drinking or that she was out too late. “Anyone who says things like this are thinking like a rapist. They may not be rapists themselves but they think similarly,” a character says. The sketch emphasises the need for gender sensitisation and to educate men. It also highlights how knee-jerk reactions demanding that rapists be hanged are counter-productive. Rather what is required is systemic changes to the mindsets of people and the justice system. The video also focusses on the need for the government to make sex education compulsory in schools and colleges. Lastly, it calls for the youth to put pressure on leaders to ensure these reforms are made.
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