This Powerful ‘Rap Against Rape’ by Two Indian Women Has Gone Viral
Two young Indian women, performing under the moniker BomBaebs, have made a captivating -- and now widely played -- video attacking sexual violence and misogyny in their country.Two young Indian women have made a captivating video attacking sexual violence and misogyny in their country.
The video (below), “#RapAgainstRape,” was posted Monday and has already notched up almost 100,000 views. Under the moniker BomBaebs, Pankhuri Awasthi and Uppekha Jain open the video with a disclaimer, warning that “This video doesn’t have any explicit or bannable content. It is just that the reality for women in India is Explicit.”
The BomBaebs’ popularity comes amid a spate of rape-related incidents in India, including reports that an elderly nun had been gang-raped, as well as an outcry over the Indian government’s attempt to block the broadcast of the documentary “India’s Daughter” (read our Truthdigger of the Week report about “India’s Daughter” here).
The #RapAgainstRape lyrics, written by both girls, begin:
We’re now known as the land of rapes. But did you ever wonder how this took shape? Don’t shy away now, you’re a part of this culture. Of lawyers who will kill, And politicians who ban our will, And all the other blood-sucking vultures.
The duo go on to say of their home country, “We’re a land of ironies and of rampant misogyny.”
And, several times, they point out what they call the hypocrisy of life for women in their culture, as in: “When a girl who’s been raped/ Has to hide her face/ And then that same society/ Makes a porn star their celebrity.”
They conclude with this powerful call to action:
Gone are the times we stayed abused and broken, And behind closed doors we cried. It’s about time to change the tide, And for you to get on our side. Help us bring in a new day — for you, for me, for us. Let’s carve a new way.
Watch the video in full below:
–Posted by Roisin Davis
Dig, Root, GrowThis year, we’re all on shaky ground, and the need for independent journalism has never been greater. A new administration is openly attacking free press — and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Your support is more than a donation. It helps us dig deeper into hidden truths, root out corruption and misinformation, and grow an informed, resilient community.
Independent journalism like Truthdig doesn't just report the news — it helps cultivate a better future.
Your tax-deductible gift powers fearless reporting and uncompromising analysis. Together, we can protect democracy and expose the stories that must be told.
This spring, stand with our journalists.
Dig. Root. Grow. Cultivate a better future.
Donate today.
Military
The attack has stoked fears that the simmering tensions between the two nuclear-armed powers could escalate.
Environment
Climate change deaths are largely underreported as the crisis impacts millions and strains an already overburdened health care system.
Asia Pacific
Simmering tensions among China, India and Pakistan are driving a triangular nuclear arms race.
Science
India’s policymakers have ambitious plans for pathogen research. Can safety infrastructure keep up?
Film
Two Indian filmmakers on the importance of looking at the world with more attention and hearing with more intent.
Asia Pacific
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party hoped for a landslide but only secured 240 parliamentary leaving them short of the 272 needed to form a government.
You need to be a supporter to comment.
There are currently no responses to this article.
Be the first to respond.