Gender and Caste Intersectionality in India: An Analysis of the Nirbhaya Case, 16 December 2012

Abstract

This paper deals with the concept of intersectionality with particular reference to the interconnectedness of gender, class and caste discrimination in India. Even though much of the work on intersectionality was done by scholars from the United States with specific emphasis on gender and race, this framework can be applied universally to understand the multiple axes of power within a society that results in further marginalisation of certain groups of women. The December 16 th 2012 Nirbhaya rape case forms the centre of this chapter since it resulted in one of the biggest gender movements in India. Methodology/approach In order to develop a critical analysis a case study approach was adopted and data was collected by analysing news reports published online, videos, articles on blogs and posts on social media sources such as Facebook and Twitter. Findings The findings of the research showed interesting intersections of gender and class with relation to this case which has not been deeply analysed in order to understand the reasons behind the public uprising resulting in the government action. Social implications/ value of paper It is important to look at gender violence in India through the lens of intersectionality since often it is a result of multiple levels of discrimination on the basis of class, caste, religion and geography. This is important to recognise in order to ensure that the activism, education and change of policy helps to resolve problems related to extreme oppression and violence against women across the country.

‘Others’ Within the ‘Others’: An Intersectional Analysis of Gender Violence in India

“…Using an analysis of the December 16 th 2012, Delhi Nirbhaya rape case through the lens of intersectionality, this paper explores how factors such as class, caste, religion and geography in India influence not only how a case of gender violence and the victims are perceived by civil society actors, the government and the media but is also reflected on the perception of the perpetrators and the resultant punishments meted out. Previous research establishes an interesting intersection of social and cultural factors in the Nirbhaya case to understand the rationale behind the public uprising and the government action that followed (Dey & Orton, 2016;Shandilya, 2015). This paper further builds on that discourse to establish how the intersection of social and cultural factors with patriarchy, form a complex web of discrimination and violence in India.…”

“…As a system, patriarchy functions both on an ideological and material level interacting with the methods of production and manipulating itself to benefit both men and the capitalist system. It reproduces itself in various different ways, through different relations and institution to maintain a systemic inequality between the sexes (Dey & Orton, 2016).…”

“…However, one of the least explored factors remained the impact of the intersectionality of class, caste, religion and geography in making this case one the biggest that the country has witnessed (Dey & Orton, 2016). There is a sexual hierarchy where some female bodies are given more importance compared to others.…”

“…The Nirbhaya case can be deemed a turning point in the politics of gender justice in India. However, the case also displayed a complex intersection of class, caste, religion and geography that has seldom been highlighted and it requires an in-depth analysis of the nature of Indian society (Dey & Orton, 2016).…”

Who owns intersectionality? Some reflections on feminist debates on how theories travel

“…As of yet, intersectionality seems to be more popular in the Global North than in the Global South, although this may, in part, be a result of a politics of translation which privileges texts written in English. An interesting exception is India where intersectionality has been drawn upon to understand the workings of gender and caste (Dey and Orton, 2016) and has been increasingly taken up as a banner for feminist activism. 8.…”