Article Today, New Delhi:
A series of rape incidents within college campuses has shocked the nation once again, exposing the deep-rooted crisis of women’s safety in educational spaces. A week after a medical student was raped in Kolkata, another shocking case emerged from an engineering college in Bengaluru, where a female student was allegedly assaulted inside the campus washroom. The recurrence of such crimes has raised serious questions about campus security and accountability.
Bengal and Uttar Pradesh Lead in Crime Numbers
According to recent data, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh continue to record the highest number of crimes against women in the country. In 2023 alone, Uttar Pradesh registered 66,381 cases, accounting for nearly 15 per cent of the national total. West Bengal followed with over 30,000 cases annually, marking a steady rise since 2021. The majority of these include rape attempts, acid attacks, and physical assaults. Experts have termed the trend deeply alarming, citing the failure of preventive mechanisms.
Low Conviction Rates Fuel Impunity
While the number of cases continues to surge, conviction rates remain abysmally low. Between 2017 and 2023, West Bengal’s average conviction rate in crimes against women stood at just five per cent. In 2023 alone, around 19,000 accused were acquitted, making the State one of the weakest in terms of legal accountability. Uttar Pradesh, despite its large number of reported cases, also struggles with sluggish investigations and delayed trials. Analysts say this gap between crime and conviction emboldens perpetrators and weakens faith in justice.
Mounting Backlog of Pending Cases
The burden on the justice system continues to grow. As of December 2023, West Bengal had over 3.07 lakh pending cases related to crimes against women — the highest in India. Uttar Pradesh followed closely, with a similar backlog. Slow investigations, lack of forensic infrastructure, and procedural delays have all contributed to the mounting pendency, denying timely justice to victims.
Dalit Women Face Double Discrimination
The situation is particularly grave for Dalit women, who face violence both on caste and gender lines. Data from 2018 to 2022 show a 35 per cent increase in crimes against Scheduled Caste women. Uttar Pradesh alone accounted for 14,311 such cases, the highest in the country. The conviction rate in these cases stands below 29 per cent, reflecting systemic neglect and social bias that exacerbate their vulnerability.
Political Response Under Scrutiny
Recent remarks by political leaders have further intensified debate over women’s safety. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee drew criticism for suggesting that women should avoid going out at night following the Durgapur rape case. Similarly, in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s government faced backlash for advising women not to attend evening coaching classes after the Hathras and Lucknow incidents. Critics argue that such statements shift responsibility from law enforcement to victims, highlighting an attitude of apathy rather than accountability.
A Growing Crisis of Safety and Trust
The recurring pattern of sexual violence in colleges and universities reflects a wider failure of institutional safeguards. Experts say that without stronger campus security protocols, gender sensitisation programmes, and faster judicial processes, the problem will persist. Meanwhile, the increasing number of cases and the declining conviction rates suggest that women’s safety remains a distant goal in several States, particularly those with the highest caseloads. The recent incidents have once again brought India’s gender safety record under scrutiny, underlining the urgent need for systemic reform, stricter accountability, and a shift from rhetoric to real protection for women.
