Madhya Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Kailash Makwana, has attributed the increasing incidents of rape to a combination of societal factors, including easy access to the internet, mobile phones, alcohol, and a decline in moral values. He emphasised that preventing such crimes cannot be the sole responsibility of the police.
Addressing a divisional review meeting in Ujjain, DGP Makwana stated that the widespread availability of mobile phones and the internet has made obscene content more accessible, which he believes plays a significant role in influencing young minds. He said, “There are many reasons behind the rise in such incidents, but in my view, the easy access to mobile phones, the internet, obscene material, and alcohol are contributing factors. The ability to connect with anyone at any time through mobile phones has further aggravated the situation. There is a noticeable decline in moral values in society, and these are the key reasons behind the increase in rape cases.”
Makwana specifically pointed to the effect of obscene content available on the internet, stating that it has a disturbing influence on young people. “The kind of obscenity being served through the internet is distorting young minds from an early age, and this, undoubtedly, is one of the primary reasons behind the rise in such incidents,” he added.
The DGP also reflected on the gradual erosion of moral values within families and communities. He remarked that, unlike in the past, children today no longer consistently listen to their parents or teachers, which has led to a breakdown in societal discipline. “Earlier, children used to listen to their parents and teachers. There was a sense of shame and respect, but many of those boundaries have now disappeared. Even within homes, people are not keeping watch over each other,” he said.
Makwana concluded by highlighting that addressing such deep-rooted issues requires more than just law enforcement measures.
“To say it’s solely the police’s responsibility is not feasible,” he stressed, suggesting that a more comprehensive, societal approach is needed to tackle the rising crime rates.
Later, talking to mediapersons, he said, “The increasing incidents of rape are largely linked to the growing availability of obscene content through the internet and mobile phones. There is a decline in moral values, and the shame that once existed is no longer present in society. Earlier, teachers and parents kept a close watch on children, but today that is not the case. Mobile phones have made it easy for anyone to connect with anyone, exacerbating the problem.”