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This story is from September 21, 2013

Rape? It's your fault, women: Sarcastic video on victim-blaming goes viral

At a time when the country is in the grip of what seems like a rape epidemic, with people venting their anger through different media, a comedy podcast 'All India Bak****' has come up with a different answer.
Rape? It's your fault, women: Sarcastic video on victim-blaming goes viral
From suggesting that the rape victim should have dressed appropriately to blaming a woman's 'stars', numerous bizarre reasons have been cited to justify rape. Some even blamed chowmein and mobile phones.
At a time when the country is in the grip of what seems like a rape epidemic, with people venting their anger through different media, a comedy podcast 'All India Bak****' has come up with a different answer.

The AIB, brainchild of comedians Tanmay Bhat, Rohan Joshi, Ashish Shakya and Gursimran Khamba, have launched a satirical video - It's your fault. (Watch video)
The YouTube video is a sarcastic take on the victim-blaming that happens in India. It deals with topics like the clothes women wear to invite assault and marital rape.
The clip stars a very cheerful Kalki Koechlin and VJ Juhi Pande, talking to the camera (and through it, to Indian women), about how rape is always the victim’s fault.
Kalki, in the video, explains to women that they can avoid rape if they address their rapists as 'bhaiya' (We have godmen to thank for this).
They also make women aware of the 'right' dress code (It's your lucky day, girls).
The video ends with a series of women speaking to the camera and acknowledging one fact – “It’s my fault.”

The creators of the video are overjoyed with the response. However, they were left feeling bittersweet as it's a reminder of how Indian society's patriarchal structures make every day a struggle for most women.
While making the video they were certain that if done right it will resonate with the audience but their main concern was to not trivialise the issue.
Gursimran Khamba, one of the stand-up comics of All India Back***, says that they were a little bit afraid of being misunderstood by the not-so-sarcasm-friendly people.
Khamba said in an e-mail: "It's meant as a sarcastic take on victim-blaming. We can only control the message not so much the reaction so that's not something that we're too bothered with."
And for all the people who actually believe that 'it's a girl's fault' the AIB members have only one advice: Read a book.
The video has been watched over 1 lakh times in less than 48 hours. It caught the netizens attention too with many women tweeting - It's my fault.
Here are some of the reactions:
@suneal: Hats off to @kalkikanmani for #AIB365: It's Your Fault every Indian should think abt it. (y) great work done by team.
@mrharshadpathak: A really innovative approach! #AIB365
@VishalDadlani: Sarcasm bites! In our country, Rape is the woman's fault. Well done, Kalki, @juhipande, @samirakanwar and AIB.
@ravepsychedelic: a slap on so called "mankind" ..if they are ready to take it
@lazyladsharma: this is brilliant !! bow o_O
@sachinuppal: We call ourselves progressive but that's just a hogwash... women at large are still blamed for rape
Shivani Arora: The sad part is that many people will not understand the Sarcasm.
Shivam Patil: The problem is, this video will not effectively reach it's "target audience". Most people who understand the satire and spend time watching a video like this, are probably already intelligent enough to not blame the victim in the first place. It's a great reinforcing effort, nonetheless. Go All India Bak****! :)
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