by Jag Mohan Thaken
Why did the U.S. Embassy & Consulates in India have to issue an advisory to warn U.S. women traveling to India? What fears do they have in their minds?
On 18 June,2025, it issued a Travel Advisory to India – highlighting the increased caution in India due to crime and terrorism, mentioning that some areas have increased the risk. Summarising – “Violent crime and terrorism occur in India. Rape is one of the fastest-growing crimes in India. Violent crimes, including sexual assault, happen at tourist sites and other locations. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning. They target: tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, government facilities.”
Showing the country’s limitations, the advisory states, “The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in rural areas. These areas stretch from eastern Maharashtra and northern Telangana through western West Bengal.
Due to the risks, U.S. government employees working in India must obtain special authorization to travel to these areas.”
The advisory further states, “If you decide to travel to India: Do not bring a satellite phone or GPS device. Possessing a satellite phone or GPS device is illegal in India and may result in a penalty of $200,000 or jail time of up to three years. Do not travel alone, especially if you are a woman. Read travel tips at Women Travelers. Review your personal security plans and stay alert to your surroundings.
Enrol in the Smart Traveler Enrolment Program (STEP) to get alerts and make it easier for us to find you in an emergency.”
What is the ground reality?
Has the U.S. warning some solid and reasonable base, or is it just “fulfilling a formality”? Let us examine.
National Commission Chairperson hearing grievances. Photo-Credit-NCW.
Just an example we are quoting here. Media reports reveal – “The ground reality was unfolded when Malkajgiri Commissioner of Police (CP) Sumati, a senior IPS officer, faced harassment by several men during a special midnight operation, while she was conducting a plainclothes operation to assess the safety situation for women on the Hyderabad streets on the intervening night of May 6, 2026, between 12 midnight and 3:30 am. Within these three hours, nearly 40 men, unaware that they were confronting a senior police official, approached her with inappropriate offers and vulgar remarks, many appearing intoxicated.”
This incident exposed the safety of women, as even a bold and fearless lady police officer has to face such a situation, then what shall be the intensity of harassment and lewd remarks when an ordinary woman has to visit during the nights?
A tragic incident, which reveals the horrific face of Indian society, occurred on the first day of May 2026 in Nasrapur, in the Pune district of Maharashtra, where a three-and-a-half-year-old girl was reportedly sexually assaulted and murdered by a 65-year-old man. Hindustan Times, quoting the Police, states that the Police suspect that after the sexual assault, the accused allegedly killed her by hitting her face with a stone, and to conceal the evidence, hid the body under a heap of dung.
NATIONAL WOMEN COMMISSION CHAIRPERSON– PHOTO CREDIT NCW.
Taking serious note of the Nasarpur incident, on May 8, 2026, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has expressed serious concern over the existing parole framework governing convicts involved in heinous crimes against women and children. Hon’ble NCW Chairperson Smt. Vijaya Rahatkar stated that the Commission will soon submit recommendations to the Central Government seeking a complete prohibition on parole for individuals convicted in cases of rape, aggravated sexual assault, and other serious offences against women and children.
The Hon’ble Chairperson observed that the Nasrapur, Bhor incident has raised serious concerns regarding public safety and the confidence of women in society. She emphasized that in such cases, the protection, dignity, and security of women and children must remain paramount. The Commission will also recommend comprehensive systemic reforms to strengthen the justice delivery mechanism in cases involving crimes against women and children. The proposed recommendations include the expedited establishment of Special Fast Track Trial Courts to ensure swift disposal of such cases, enhanced coordination during investigation and trial proceedings through dedicated legal and subject experts, and the creation of an independent and time-bound mechanism for prompt evidence examination, witness statement recording, and completion of investigations.
What does the NCRB report reveal?
The latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report for 2024, released on 6th May, 2026, shows that India saw 4,41,534 cases related to crimes against women in 2024, in comparison to 4,48,211 cases in 2023 and 4,44,256 in 2022. However, there was a decrease of 1.5% in crimes against women in 2024 compared to 2023, but still, the horror is hovering over women’s safety.
Under other Major Crimes, India recorded 29,536 cases of rape, 48,303 cases of assault with intent to outrage modesty, and 15,609 cases of sexual harassment.
Commenting over the crimes against women with special mention of Haryana state, in a press statement on May 8,2026, the former Union Minister, CWC member and General Secretary of All Indian Congress Committee, Kumari Selja, an MP from Haryana, has expressed deep concern over the latest NCRB report, stating that the rise in crimes against women in Haryana under BJP rule is a matter of serious concern. She said the NCRB data clearly indicates a weakening law and order situation in the state.
KUMARI SELJA-PHOTO CREDIT X ACCOUNT OF SELJA.
Kumari Selja said that according to the NCRB report, Haryana ranks highest in the country in cases related to trafficking of minor girls, while crimes against women continue to rise steadily. She termed the situation unfortunate for a progressive state like Haryana. Kumari Selja said Haryana should have emerged as a model state in development, education, employment and social security, but instead it is increasingly making headlines for crime, fear, and insecurity. She added that concerns regarding the safety of women and girls are growing among families across the state. She further stated that rising drug abuse and unemployment are major contributors to the increase in crime. With employment opportunities shrinking for youth, incidents of crime and gang violence are continuously increasing, posing a dangerous signal for society.
Kumari Selja demanded that the state government take strict and effective measures to curb crimes against women. She also called for a crackdown on drug networks and a special drive to create employment opportunities for youth. Selja said that claims and publicity alone will not improve the situation. The government must deliver results on the ground. Selja added that the Congress party would continue to strongly raise issues related to the safety and dignity of women, youth and the common people, while holding the government accountable for its responsibilities.
Dr. Sushil Kumar Gupta, State President of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Haryana, has also launched a scathing attack on the BJP government in Haryana. Citing the latest NCRB (National Crime Records Bureau) report, he said that this report is a blot on Haryana’s reputation and proves that the already weak law and order situation in the state has completely collapsed.
In a media release of May 8, 2026, Gupta alleged that this report shows Haryana’s shameful record in girl trafficking. Dr. Gupta said that according to the NCRB report, 44% of the total cases of minor girl trafficking across the country are in Haryana alone, which is shameful in itself. The trafficking of two innocent girls every day is the biggest proof of the BJP government’s failure.
On the other hand, the BJP-led Central Government claims that the government attaches the highest importance to the matter of preventing and countering crimes against women and children, including crimes of human trafficking. In a press release by PIB on February 11, 2026, it pleads that the Government has undertaken several legislative and schematic interventions to combat trafficking, protect and rehabilitate victims of trafficking.
But in the same release, the Union government, which seems to escape liability, states that “Police” and “Public Order” are State subjects under the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. The responsibility to maintain law and order, protection of life and property of the citizens, including investigation and prosecution of crimes related to human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of the victims of trafficking or seducing or soliciting for the purpose of prostitution, rests with the respective State Governments and they are competent to deal with it.
However, the Government of India supplements the efforts of the States/ Union Territories by providing them with guidelines on preventing and countering the crime of human trafficking, in the form of various advisories issued from time to time. Will mere issuance of advisories help in curbing the menace of crimes against women? Aren’t some hard hammers are needed to nip the evil?
