A horrific gang rape in India has sent shockwaves through the nation and beyond, reviving the trauma of the 2012 Delhi attack that galvanised global outrage. The victim, a woman in her late twenties, was attacked by multiple assailants in a remote area of Uttar Pradesh late on Tuesday night. She remains in critical condition in hospital, her family too traumatised to speak publicly.
The British Foreign Office has updated its travel advisory, urging British nationals in India to exercise “extreme caution” as protests erupt in major cities. The travel update warns of heightened risk in areas where public gatherings occur, directing travellers to avoid demonstrations and maintain vigilance. This incident echoes the 2012 gang rape and murder of Jyoti Singh on a Delhi bus, which sparked nationwide protests and led to stricter laws against sexual violence.
However, critics argue that implementation remains flawed. Rape statistics in India have been stubbornly high, with over 28,000 cases reported in 2022, though many more go unreported due to stigma and police reluctance. Women's rights activists have condemned the failure of authorities to ensure safety for women, especially in rural and semi-urban areas.
The victim in this latest attack was reportedly travelling alone when she was targeted, a stark reminder of the precarious position many women still face in public spaces. The British government's advisory now includes specific warnings for states including Uttar Pradesh, where the rape occurred, and Delhi. It advises travellers to avoid public transport after dark and to be aware of surroundings at all times.
For many in India, this advisory is a painful symbol of how little has changed since 2012. The news has hit hard for a country that prides itself on its growing global influence yet grapples with deep-rooted misogyny. In the streets of Delhi and Mumbai, candlelight vigils have been planned for this evening, with many demanding tougher sentencing and faster trials.
The ruling party has promised a swift investigation, but for many women, empty promises are no longer enough. The trauma of 2012 was supposed to be a turning point. This latest atrocity suggests it was not.
As the British travel advisory is updated, it serves as a sobering indicator that the struggle for women's safety in India is far from over.
