Westernisation does not lead to rape, says Javed Akhtar

The mass molestation in Bangalore on New Year's Eve was said to be a cause of "western culture," by Indian officials; however, Javed Akhtar recently shared what he thinks is the actual root cause of rape and harassment in India.

At the Jaipur Literature Festival, veteran lyricist Akhtar said, "Westernisation in no way leads to such incidents. It is because of two basic reasons: social segregation and economic divide."

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Commenting on David Guetta's concerts being cancelled in Bangalore and Mumbai following the Bangalore incident, Akhtar added that Indian actors or international stars performing in Bangalore are also not the reason for such crimes.

Instead, he explained that scores of young men from towns don't engage in long conversations with the opposite sex till they hit 25.

"How would somebody, who has never even spoken to a girl, appreciate her and understand that she is something more than her body? For him, it is only body and lust."

Societal segregation, in fact, is what triggers "unwanted temperament", added Akhtar.

Citing the famous 2012 Delhi rape case, he said, "The other reason is the economic divide. What happened to the girl in Delhi does not reflect lust or want for sex. It showed anger, frustration and how much of venom they had against the society. They did not just rape her, it was brutality."

"People come from small towns, live in shabby conditions and they see the rich and affluent leading luxurious life. Added to it is their previous experience — segregation. They have not talked properly to a girl ever."

He added that the "future definitely belongs to women, not to men," and instead of pointing fingers at the west -- a futile attempt and one without a solution -- the problem should be recognised.

"If you do wrong diagnosis of the disease of your country, then you can never get rid of it. You have to accept the real reasons that lead to such incidents."