Indian Laws must take Strict Actions against Incels

I. Introduction

Over the years crimes against women are rising. Things got changed and much more yet to be done every hour has been reported against women. In the country like India as per the NCRB report December 2023 shows that the crimes against women rising are fifty-one crimes report. Initially the data talks about the crimes have been mostly reported from her own family that what we called it as domestic violence which includes cruelty by husband, mental physical harassment by relatives and members within family. Data not only talks about the violence within family but also shows the rising crime rate in India outside her house and outside her personal life. Mostly the reasons include such as misogynistic approaches taken by toxic masculinity within society. The masculinity which historically has been addressed as the traditions and the norms has been practiced by the society and believed it to be the sacred practice that must be followed by the women outside and inside the house. It talks about the what should be the work of women must be and whatever the things she carried there were always has been question raised by this tradition which believes depriving women from basic knowledge and societal aspect can be challenging for the rest of their life.

Anyway, topic is not going to discuss about the history of barbaric approaches has been taken by men and their traditions that they belong from their religion they practice. The primary concern is here is that the changing world today and the impact of changing world which includes the ways which has been adapted by the specific groups for their satisfaction in society is not including them. It’s not only our neglect as a society but it’s the rising gap among us is making this distinction more dangerous in today’s world. By topic it’s very clear that which thing is about to discuss here. The movement called “Incels” (involuntary celibate) has been mostly characterized as radical thoughts and ideologies has been the inspiration for these movements to commit mass murders and violence anywhere and anytime they want. Mosly the assault and killing has been done which includes women. But Who are these Incels? Are the people who blame women for their inability to win love. These are the people who think women only love white men (handsome men). When we discuss it with the psychological understanding, we come to know these men are struggling with the inferiority complex.

As days passing these web communities and the groups which identifies themselves as incels are rising which is being big threat to foreign countries such like European and western nations like America. It is also is to be believed that in the upcoming years India will be the home country for these communities. The term Incel actually not being new or too old. The first widely recognized case of an incel-related crime occurred in 2014 in the United States. However, the current term Incels has been evolved much different and more violent and more negative way. Can’t we take strict measure before it actually happens?

II. Understanding incel phenomenon

“Incels” the term primarily concerns with the men. Men who are unable to find romantic partner or individual mainly the women. As a sexual partner despite desiring them. The term gained much status through the online communities got attention of those who identifies themselves as incels. The webs and the communities formed of these communities where they share their experiences and frustration over not having romantic relationship specially with the women. The platforms which offer these people overcome their frustration and anger about women by sharing on these platforms. Various research has been done on these communities. But mostly this research not done on personalized basis, based on the comments and the only evidences about these communities having online base.

One 2019 study of posts on a forum called incels.me which states that incels.me created a community for the people who feel isolated in the real world due to their inability to have sexual and romantic relationships with women, although the creation of such an in-group also necessitated the creation of a negatively portrayed outgroup of women and of non-incel men. That said, the 2019 study of posts on the incels.me forum found that much of the language used on incels.me could be classified as misogynistic or homophobic hate speech, which is more likely to fuel the violence and cement grievances rather than presenting a giving of calming responses to them. Much of these forums rather calming these men actually triggering them to cream actual violence in real life instance.

The western culture having much reflection in our daily lives in everything. In most of the cases the Incels has been proved as mostly violent and having strong misogynistic thoughts in their thinking and their behaviour So, why there is a need to make strict laws against these people question is actually weird. Currently in Indian there is no specificity about the laws against these incels community Indian Incels also known as currycels in south Asia. These currycels can be found on platform like Facebook, Instagram, thread. These men identify themselves with different names and community name in India as Indian MGTOWs (Men Going Their Own Way) and are members of groups such as Men’s Rights Activists in India, Gender Inequal India and Men’s Day Out (India). Which seemed as in dual ways. In western incels believes that they have been rejected because of the whiteness and smartness (being handsome) is being more essential for women.

Even though in Indian context there are laws but there we found much complexity in laws related women well-being. But the cases like 2012 gang rape case in Delhi which give more rise to social activism and other institutions to take strict actions make strict laws against these culprits. Case sparked national and international outrage. There has been a significant push towards strengthening the legal framework to protect women. This push is reflected in a series of legislative measures and amendments designed to address various forms of violence and discrimination against women. We need special laws for these community which not only rising but threatening the women’s existence in society.

A. Key characteristics

a. Self- identification: incels identify themselves because of the perceived inability of them to get into a romantic relationship. Often has been identified by these people which being now beyond control. Rising awareness within these communities being crucial task to avoid these lacking. Self-identification has caused to these communities more distress over not finding a partner. They immediately want to call themselves as an incels which causing more harm to their mental state.

b. Blame on women: often blaming women for their inability in romantic relationship. The failure of these people to not coming into a good romantic relationship rather this community blaming women for their sense of inferiority toward themselves. Some incels has been reported they have already started working on themselves and it has actually worked. Within five to six months having sex with females.

c. Self- victimization: Incels often see themselves as victims of a societal structure that Favors others (often referred to as "Chads" and "Stacys" in incel lexicon). They often see society has made the structure within what it only recognizes these white men and handsome men and women only attracted toward these men. They believe they are the neglected people in society. Women also not choosing them over white hansom men.

d. Personality disorder: Personality disorders can intensify negative beliefs and attitudes towards oneself and others. For incels, this often means deepening misogyny and self-loathing. Individuals with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) may lack empathy and remorse, leading to more extreme behaviours and rhetoric within incel communities. Their propensity for aggressive behaviour can make them more likely to engage in harassment or even violence. Seeing things in actual they are not in reality. Being more in social isolation can cause better turn to their mental state.

e. Fatalism: Many incels adopt a fatalistic outlook, believing that their situation is unchangeable and blaming external factors such as societal norms or genetic disadvantages. They are no in condition to understand if they are lacking in things rather blaming external conditions and factors such as society already exist in a such way that these people don’t having any value, war at women that they only like specific men.

III. The threat of these incels communities

A. Radicalization and violence: incel community is an eco-chamber system. On online platforms such as Reddit where these community gather together where they share their feelings and grievances. This intensifies their anger and alienation on these webs creating groups which shares same faith and beliefs which also contributing more to vandalization.

B. Misogyny and hatred: the incel movement has been characterized by some as a radical ideology, with mass murderers such as Elliot Rodger, Alek Minassian, and Chris Harper Mercer being portrayed as prototypical. Alek Minassian who inspired by the mass killing done by Elliot Rodger. Here we see the key things to understand mostly it has been targeted to women. In Toronto van attack Minassian had ten charges of murdering and sixteen were attempt to murder. Alek Minassian admitted that he was not criminally responsible for the act committed by him due to his ASD (autism spectrum disorder). Which drew the inspiration from the misogynistic “Incel” movement, online group of young men who blame their lack of sexual activity on women.

C. Online radicalization: self-identified incels show that while most incels are in reality do not support violence, those who identify as ardent misogynists are more likely to encourage the desire to use violence and to become even more misogynistic by participating in incel web forums that support their beliefs. intentional violence motivated by rage over real or imagined experiences of sexual marginalization in a current society when having sex before marriage has become commonplace for many.

D. Impact on society: despite the fact that incels are diverse group of men belongs from different ethnicity they are having same vision of not belongingness from women and their hate and anger toward women. Despite their differences they see women as animalistic and selfish. Women are attracted toward white men which not only maintain their higher status but also their reputation in society being with Chad white man. Growing numbers of incels is now a social problem which may result more killing in society in upcoming years. This normalization of hatred towards women can influence broader societal attitudes, contributing to a culture of misogyny and sexism.

The research done by Michael Halpin with their fellows shows that incels’ solution to this problem is limiting women’s freedom and making them dependant on patriarchy. Incels see platform like Tinder and other dating apps like Instagram and Facebook contributing more to these attraction of women toward these handsome white men and women perceiving men through these platforms. In 2019 survey shows that fifty-five percent incels identified as white as many of them believes as men of colour promoting white nationalism. These people are white privilege believes that you just need to be white for heterosexual sex. Having white colour privilege even make it easier to have sex with females. Despite these distinction among these groups these people are united against feminism and bonding.

IV. Current legal framework in india

Current India’s legal framework include such as law against harassment, violence, hate speech done against women. However, these laws are not adequately equipped with addressing problem of incel community in India. For these we need strict network of law to implement the systematic structure of law which can prevent the violence creating because of these online web community platforms which more motivating to commit violence for we need specific laws about so our system can better prevent this. We can take different types of measure to prevent it. Such as enhancing cyber security, strong laws against hate speech and support system for at risk-level individual.

Firstly, enhancing cyber security and betterment in our system can better helps us. We can start from this level from where it actually spreading the most. The main platform which mostly such feeling of being understood by each other rather calming the individual these platforms are about to spread more misogynistic views which damaging the young generation specially those who are not able to think about themselves or not that much able enough to think what is right and what is wrong to them. We need to stop this first. For government can introduce such systems where law enforcement agencies should be trained to identify and counteract online radicalization.

Having strong laws against hate speeches especially when such online platforms and forums offers such ground which to incitement for violence and provoking these youngsters for taking such barbaric steps against an individual. Existing hate speech laws should be amended to explicitly include misogynistic content and incitement to violence against women, providing clear legal grounds for action against incel communities.

If on individual and public level we get able to overcome the challenges being faced our society because of the people around them which not only harming their community but which also about to harm individually themselves. For we can also choose this path also if we an individual is at risk and is about to harm himself in sort of situation, we by taking some steps also can be much helpful for overcoming these sorts of challenges. Such as providing mental health accessible counselling. We also can organize workshops on mental health program on city level by organizing this we definitely will be able to overcome this and provide better support to this community.

V. Case studies and the steps taken on international level which can serve a model for india to consider

These cases mostly have found in European and western nations. It is to be believed that in the coming years India can be the buzz of these communities. Considering these facts, we can have sets of instances through which we can better implement the laws in India. As some of countries has already taken the steps to prevent these types of violence. As the Canadian government has recognized incel-related violence as a form of gender-based violence and has included it in its national strategy on countering gender-based violence. Alek Minassian who was the identified culprit. The cargo, rented van plowed through pedestrian Toronto’s Yonge Street along with attack of about 1.5 to 2.0 miles. Continuous seven minute of strike, killing ten people on road and injured sixteen in this attack. The 2021 stabbing attack in North Vancouver was a tragic event that highlighted the need for vigilance and preparedness in public safety where he has the charges of two counts killing one woman.

After the Toronto van attack in 2018, which was linked to incel ideology, Canadian authorities increased efforts to monitor and counteract online incel communities. Canada’s main anti-terrorism agencies, singled out “gender-driven violence” as an emerging current of violent extremism. Minassian posted one message on Facebook before the attack occurred by him, stating “The Incel Rebellion has already begun! We will overthrow all the Chads and Stacys!”. Minassian charged with the ten counts of first-degree murder and sixteen counts of attempted murder by him. His trail actually got begun in 2020, but because of covid 19 it got held virtually. During trial Minassian admitted the committed attack but refuse to say this that he was having the (ASD) autism spectrum disorder was the factor of his action. Judge said the attack was caried out for notoriety. Judge Anne Molloy delivered her verdict on March 3, 2021, Minassian was found guilty of all charges. The judge ruled that his actions were deliberate and that he understood the moral and legal wrongfulness of his actions, despite his autism diagnosis. In the Toronto van attack case over Zoom found him guilty of both murdering and attempt to murder.

In one of video about the inquiry of Minassian done by cop where he admits that he got somewhere having the motivation of their people especially the ones who also had a conversation with, the Elliot Rodger that they having the same frustration over things and before the gun attack done by Elliot, that was a conversation where Elliot admitted that he is on a mission until he came to know the mission which finally happened the incident. For this incident where Minassian says that he is proud of the bravery shown by Elliot at a moment. They kill the nominees who are normal within society and accepted by the abnormal society, they don’t actually want to kill but to killing the subject which actually let people know the things suffered by incels because of society’s reluctance toward them. Where he also mentions about the rebellion started by the incel community in May, 2014. That was the time when they shifted the agenda from daydreaming to directly commencement of act. Even in his last sentence he says that he had accomplished his mission. After this Toronto attack it is n step taken by Canadian government to prevent this terrorism that it is being the first time that they have been recognized it as a terrorism adhering to this community apart from the extremism of Islam and such like other issues.

In America, Elliot Rodger and the 2014 Isla Vista Killings. One of tragic incident which also regarded as the first case of incels. Which having long lasting impact on incels community and the society. As some of the cases identifies as taking inspiration from this incident. On May 23, Elliot Rodger, a 22-year-old college student, carried out the premediated attack in Isla Vista, California. The attack occurred near the University of California, Santa Barbara campus, profoundly affecting the local community. he had at least killed six people and injured fourteen others before committing the suicide. Rodger was deeply entrenched in the incel (involuntarily celibate) ideology, which blames women for men's lack of sexual success. He left behind a manifesto and his grievances on YouTube videos expressing his emotions and explaining his motivations for the attack. In his 141-page manifesto titled "My Twisted World," Rodger detailed his life, his feelings of rejection and loneliness and his desire killing men who are successful with women in relationship. Also, expressed having the immense hatred toward women. There was no trial as after completing his motive he killed himself. This incident sparked significant discussions about mental health, gun control, and the dangers of online radicalization. The incident underscored the importance of mental health support and early intervention.

A famous youtuber Peterson, podcaster of incel community name by “jackbud” which came as important spoke man of this community. where he had mentioned lot of things about the incels that they are not inherently violent and some of member of these community struggling from mental health related problem which the cause being killing people. What he mentions is that it just another internet forum that consist only the humour of tensed and nervous man which according him not much helping going crazy simultaneously one of his fellow members stated that “you are misrepresenting us: that we do really hate women”. Also, Peterson said that he soon going to make documentary which will really help to these people to come out of these. In one of his reporting, he mentioned. These some of guys really trying to make impact on this community. One of guy posted after Toronto attack that most of the important thing this guy missed is ER’s last step of killing himself.

Just before the six-year anniversary of Rodger’s attack, a mass shooting at an Arizona in 2020. Police said 20-year-old Armando Hernandez. A mass shooting occurred at the Westgate Entertainment District in Glendale, Arizona. Hernandez gave reasons that were consistent with the concept of incel. He gave the reasons for his actions-sexual frustration and social rejection-in his comments to the police and on social media. He made note of his desire to primarily target married couples and others he thought were "happy". In his social media posts and statements to police, he cited feelings of sexual frustration and social rejection as reasons for his actions. After many cases in America after 2014’s first case involved with incels that many states brought the legislation which gave the right to authorities to temporarily remove firearms from a deemed individual to whom threat to be themselves and society. Several states implemented this Red Flag law.

In Indian scenario as of now there are no such cases identified which connected to this incels pragmatism. But still there are various cases we are having instances about the violent crime and the rape cases what can be more heinous than this. Not every time there is need to have happened something before passing legislation. We need to aware about the future impact of such things which can literally destroy the generations to generations. For nation’s growth we need strict laws for the hate and misogyny against women because there is the future of India. After the long history of patriarchal dominance, we are now in state as a one of nation of this world where women without any fear raising their concerns and taking the benefits from the system which was not easy way to go through, but now it is possible and we need to polarize this as there can be anyone in coming examples so, before we can definitely take steps implementing strict codes against inhuman actions done by these animals.

A very recent case Bulandshahr, district in Uttar Pradesh a man called Adnan (culprit) killed his girlfriend Asma over the suspicion that she is having affair with someone. It’s a very clear indication that how this kind of men in society is being how much free that they openly give such spine-chilling statements where there is no shame over getting someone’s life. Until and unless not at early base we create strong laws and strong society these things going to happen where such psychic people getting inspiration again and again.

VI. Conclusion

One of important reason is that Indian society’s Patriarchal nature for a long time. It a long history that women were deprived because of the patriarchal nature. It talks all about from prominent Hindu Brahman families to the poorest section of the society. Mostly it can be found in the Hindu Brahman families in compare to the marginalized section of society. Whereas in poor section where we mostly found that these people to just satisfied their need they are working together and feeding their families regardless of their gender. But it is as important as this that these women from this section having the profound impact on history that how this patriarchy has not only abandoned their females but also had committed lot of atrocities on their women and this poor section of women. There is no question were when we talk about women’s existence in society how it has been seen throughout the history and even today.

Rates of violence against women are high in the diasporic community, and incel extremism is can be a possible angle from which such violence against women can be understood for the need of strict legislation. On various level we can take the little steps to stop this on time for the betterment of not only of the generation but the entire nation. In school, universities and colleges providing free mental assessments programs or kind speeches and workshops related mental health conducting in School, colleges can better impact on an individual on forming their attitude, perspective toward individual and society. On public level and individual level so we can better process it to prevent this violence and can have more transparency in our laws and judicial system to any type of misconduct or misogynistic approaches being taken by such people. Which is possible if we take these measurable steps in our system. All the example highlights the need for increased monitoring and intervention strategies to prevent similar incidents in future.

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