A recent report “Caste Based Sexual Violence and State Impunity” contextualizes sexual violence in India as a weapon to uphold caste structures. Sexual violence against Dalit women often follows a pattern: dominant-caste offenders in groups subjecting lower-caste women to extreme forms of sexual violence. As Dalit families pursue education, better health outcomes, safe livelihoods, political positions, and social respect, sexual violence is part of a backlash by dominant castes to assert control and power. Issues in the justice system, policing, and failure to recognize Dalit women as a distinct social group need to be addressed. The report was published by the National Council of Women Leaders (NCWL), Dalit Human Rights Defenders Network (DHRDN) and Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS).
Rajeev Khanna, Sexual Violence, a Weapon to Reinforce Caste Hierarchies, The Citizen (April 22 2022).