Avenging the "Fearless One''. Securitization of Sexual Violence in India since 2012.

Abstract

This thesis looks at the social movement that started a process of securitization concerning sexual violence in India. The gang rape and subsequent death of Jyoti Singh, in December 2012, are taken as the beginning of securitization because of the immense impact they had on Indian society; protests erupted around the country and these led to important legal changes. Who were the actors of securitization? What made the gang rape of Jyoti Singh such a source of protest and why did securitization not commence earlier? Has sexual violence in India been successfully securitized since 2012? What are the prospect for longer term securitization? Through looking at secondary literature, statistical information, interviews with people who experienced the securitization process on the ground and by analysing changes in legislation, this thesis seeks to answer these questions. Although India is a complex country with many different languages, religions and castes – all factors that make it hard for a securitization process to be successful – a securitization process (of sorts) began in 2012. The roles of a new middle-class and of social media were immense in transforming the 2012 protests into a powerful social movement. The concept of contentious politics proved important in the initiation of the securitization process, but to date it has been unable to reach the desired results. Increased criminalisation of politics, incorrect and incomplete implementation of several suggestions – made by legal scholars to the Indian government – and a faulty system of law and order mean that Indian society has not become safe for women yet. There is certainly hope for the future; the Indian government means to implement education reforms and here and there independent securitization measures are being taken by the Indian police.