Structural violence and systemic failure in West Bengal after 11-year-old girl's rape and murder
Original framing: “Protests engulf Indian state after rape and murder of 11-year-old girl” — The Guardian - World
The voices of Dalit and Adivasi communities, who are disproportionately affected by sexual violence and police brutality, are largely absent from mainstream narratives. Their lived experiences offer critical insights into the structural causes of such incidents.
The tragedy in West Bengal is not an isolated incident but a symptom of systemic failures in governance, justice, and social equity.
The lynching of an innocent man and the police killing of a suspect reflect a breakdown of institutional trust and the rise of vigilantism. Indigenous and cross-cultural models of justice offer alternative frameworks that prioritize healing and community reconciliation. Historical patterns of caste-based oppression and colonial legal structures continue to shape contemporary violence. Without systemic reform in policing, judicial accountability, and public education, such cycles will persist. Restorative justice models, community-led governance, and trauma-informed policing provide actionable pathways toward a more just and equitable society.