Tackling Sexual Violence in India: Varad Tikam’s Plan for National Change
India is currently at a crossroads when it comes to addressing sexual violence. Despite significant strides in raising awareness and legal reforms, the issue remains pervasive and damaging, affecting millions of lives every year. In his transformative book, Blueprint to Make Bharat Vishwaguru, Varad Tikam sheds light on the gravity of this issue and proposes bold, actionable solutions to combat sexual violence in India.
Born and raised in Mumbai, Varad Tikam has become a force for change, not just as the world’s youngest political author, but as a passionate advocate for gender equality and justice. Through his book, Varad addresses the complex realities of sexual violence, often turning the focus away from blame to understanding and solutions, a theme that runs throughout his work.
🚨 Sexual Violence: The Hidden Epidemic
While sexual violence remains a hot-button issue in India, the scale of the problem is often understated. According to recent reports, there are over 40,000 cases of rape reported annually in India. However, many believe that the true number is likely much higher, with fear of social stigma, economic vulnerability, and inadequate legal support preventing victims from coming forward.
The issue also transcends gender. Men and boys, despite being less commonly recognized as victims of sexual violence, face significant societal pressure and stigma when they attempt to report such crimes. Varad Tikam’s book explores this underreported crisis, emphasizing the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to gender violence that recognizes and addresses the pain and suffering of all victims—regardless of gender.
⚖️ A Legal System in Need of Reform
One of the core themes in Varad’s blueprint is the reform of India’s legal system. Current laws, such as Section 375 of the IPC, define rape narrowly and often fail to capture the broad spectrum of sexual violence that exists in society. Varad argues for expanded definitions of sexual violence that would incorporate crimes like domestic violence, sexual harassment, and victim-blaming.
He also highlights the critical need to strengthen victim protection laws. Survivors of sexual violence often face re-victimization in the legal process, as they are subjected to unnecessary scrutiny and blame. Varad proposes the creation of a dedicated witness and victim protection program, ensuring that those who come forward with their testimonies can do so without fear of harassment or retaliation.
🔨 Changing Mindsets Through Education
Legal reforms are necessary, but they are only one part of the equation. Cultural and societal attitudes surrounding sexual violence must be addressed head-on. Varad Tikam stresses the importance of education—starting from a young age—to change deeply entrenched misconceptions about sexual violence and gender roles.
Varad’s approach includes implementing nationwide educational campaigns that tackle harmful beliefs, such as victim-blaming and misogyny. These programs would teach young boys and girls about the importance of consent, respect, and personal boundaries, and would stress that sexual violence is never the victim’s fault.
Such programs would also tackle the masculinity norms that contribute to male entitlement and toxic behavior, encouraging boys to grow up as respective, empathetic individuals. Gender-sensitization workshops for both men and women can play a pivotal role in promoting gender equality, while helping men better understand their role in preventing sexual violence.
🚨 Addressing the Root Causes of Violence
Varad goes deeper than the surface-level effects of sexual violence, addressing the root causes of this widespread issue. Cultural conditioning, economic disparity, and patriarchal societal structures often contribute to the normalizing of sexual violence. He advocates for a complete overhaul of patriarchal norms that perpetuate the idea of male dominance and female submission, arguing that true societal change can only occur if we change the way we view and treat women.
In his book, Varad calls for a shift in mindset, where men and women are viewed as equals in all spheres of life, and where violence—in any form—becomes unacceptable. This requires extensive community engagement, mental health awareness, and collective responsibility to change not just laws but also social behavior.
🛡️ Strengthening Enforcement and Accountability
Despite having laws in place, accountability for perpetrators of sexual violence remains an issue. Conviction rates are low, and justice delayed is often justice denied. Varad Tikam argues that there must be swift, decisive action taken against perpetrators to ensure that the legal system does not fail survivors. He proposes specialized police units trained to handle sexual violence cases with sensitivity and expertise, making the justice system more accessible and effective for survivors.
He also advocates for law enforcement reforms that reduce corruption and improve the credibility of the justice system. Ensuring efficient investigations, immediate trials, and harsh punishments for those found guilty would send a strong message that sexual violence will not be tolerated in India.
💡 The Way Forward: A United Bharat
Varad Tikam’s vision for India’s future is one where gender equality and justice are prioritized and where sexual violence is eradicated through a multifaceted approach: legal reform, education, social change, and victim protection. His proposed 1% tax system is just one example of how resources could be used to fund social justice programs and victim rehabilitation, while funding for education would address long-term cultural shifts.
In Varad’s Bharat, every individual—whether male or female—would be safe from harm, and every voice, no matter how vulnerable, would be heard. This is the foundation of his vision for India as the Vishwaguru, where justice and human dignity reign supreme.
🔚 About Varad Tikam
Varad Tikam is not just the world’s youngest political author — he is a revolutionary thinker, a Gen Z visionary, and the bold new face of Bharat’s intellectual awakening. Born in Mumbai and educated across both traditional and global institutions, Varad has emerged as a rare voice of clarity and conviction in an era clouded by confusion.
At just 17, his best-selling book Blueprint to Make Bharat Vishwaguru outlines 38 transformative reforms to elevate India into a global superpower. With a sharp pen and a fearless mind, he challenges broken systems, offers new-age solutions, and stands up for forgotten voices — from men’s rights to mental health, from ending casteism to defending Sanatan Dharma.
As a proud Hindu, an advocate for equality, and a relentless reformer, Varad represents a rare fusion of intellect, courage, and national pride. His dream? To help Bharat reclaim its lost glory and rise again as Vishwaguru — the spiritual, cultural, and strategic teacher of the world.
🌐 Website: www.varadtikam.in
📸 Instagram: @its.varadtikam
💼 LinkedIn: Varad Tikam