Nirbhaya controversy: Why does the BBC documentary shock a 16-year-old

The controversy surrounding the BBC documentary on the Dec 16, 2012 gangrape 'India's Daughter' has caused a lot of curiosity, specially after the Centre imposed a ban on the screening of the film on Indian television.

Inspite of the ban, the documentary was released on YouTube and was even broadcasted on BBC Four channel. Some have applauded the effort of the filmmaker Leslee Udwin while many have voiced out their anger against the accused and the defence lawyers who have made outrageous comments on women in the documentary.

The documentary has rattled a 16-year-old, who in her blog (Bold Bright Blah) has expressed how the documentary is not about rape but an underlying problem that has continued for many generations.

16-year-old shocked by documentary

In her blog, Kavya Srivatsa, writes that the documentary makes her angry. She writes that the problem is not rape but how 'that is how things are meant to be.'

She writes: "The question here isn't about rape. Nor is it about India. Lets be frank, India is not the only nation where women are being raped and rape isn't the only atrocity being committed against women. Sexual harassment, eve teasing, acid attacks. honour killings, female foeticide and the list goes on. The question isn't what. It is WHY?

I recently read an article which tried to explain why women are seen as inferior to men. They gave a biological reason for it. Said its genetic.

Apparently, the subordination of the female gender is a parting gift from our simian ancestors. But If you ask me, that's the easiest way to get people to stop questioning! We can challenge mindsets, laws, cultures and traditions. Who can challenge biology, right? Its clearly "the way things are meant to be", isn't it?,"

Will there be an end on atrocities committed against women?

She writes that the inequality between men and women has been an issue for centuries. "The main problem lies in the fact that men often don't even accept that they were wrong in committing a crime against a woman," she writes.

The question however remains. What is it that can be done to curb crime against women?

Surely as many have said education, awareness and gender sensitisation right from the beginning may help to put an end to this problem. But like Kavya points out 'What doesn't make sense is that if the key lies in education, why are educated and powerful men equally guilty of such crimes?" will there be a complete end to it.

Along with this 16-year-old we are baffled as well. Banning the documentary will just silence any attempts made to bring out the truth in the society.