The Unsafe Sex: The Female Binary and Public Violence Against Women

Not too long ago, India woke up to the heart-rending horror of the ‘Nirbhaya’ rape case. While the brutal violence against the victim sent shockwaves throughout the country, the rapists (as well as other men on the streets) caused further moral outrage by blaming the victim for being out at night and holding her responsible for her rape. What does this signify? Is there an ongoing visceral war waged by men against women?

Contents: Introduction. 1. Sita Apaharan and Draupadi Vastraharan: abduction and disrobing in the epics. 2. Militarization and mutiny: safety and sexuality for peasant women and prostitutes. 3. Gandhi and the ‘purity’ of assaulted women. 4. Westernization and latent gender violence. 5. From national symbol to victim of a new ‘freedom’: Bombay cinema and violence. 6. Cut down by the cutlass: violence against women in indenture. Glossary. Bibliography. Index.