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An Indian publication recently released a documentary titled Rape Is Consensual which delves deep into the rape culture of Haryana.
According to The Quint, 10 rapes occurred in a span of 10 days in the state which seemed to shock everyone, leading to the same question: Itne rapes kyun hote hein? (Why are there so many rapes?)
SCREENGRABTeam Quint then set on a quest to find out the answer and what they found was a mentality that considered rape as a consensual act and women are "blamed for being victims".
The widespread acceptance of rape in Haryana was a harsh reality check for the documentary producers.
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An elderly man said: "Once a girl turns 14 or 15, you can't call it rape. There is always consent."
A young girl added: "Our teachers say that girls are also at fault in rape cases."
Based on statements gathered from the inhabitants, Haryana believes in blaming the victim — a very common phenomenon in the state.
SCREENGRABBoth, the elders and the youngsters, claim it's always the victim's fault. Some even mentioned that rapes occur because "girls roam around aimlessly on the streets and that they should be kept in homes".
Speaking to the team, a police official explained: "Both (rapist and victim) are to be blamed. Without consent, no one can even talk to another person. Will a girl speak to someone unless she consents to do so?" The police officer also denied any cases of abduction before rape.
However, figures show that many rape victims claim to have been abducted before being subjected to the heinous crime.
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SCREENGRABRape Is Consensual also brings a current case into limelight.
The narrator talks about a 17-year-old victim receiving treatment at the local hospital, while villagers question her "bad character".
On the incident, the rapists' mother claimed: "Both the boy and girl have done something wrong. Then why only the boy is held responsible?" She even went on to question the law, stating that such a decision is unfair.
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Honour killing is also a norm in the Haryana community. The narrator says that the inhabitants consider "honour as a cheat code to control women".
One girl from the village even told the team: "My brothers' opinions matter more than mine." Other mentioned that women are deemed "worthless" in the society.
Girls wearing jeans were also disliked by the people of Haryana as it attracts attention which leads to rape.
SCREENGRABIn order to avoid rapes, they community also stated: "Girls should be married by the age of 16 so that they have their husbands for any sexual needs and don't have to go elsewhere." One Haryana leader even claimed that "eating chowmein leads to rapes".
Supported by all the facts and figures, the narrator concludes: "Everything in Haryana can be blamed for rape, except the rapist."
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