Four years ago , a young female journalist driving home from work at 3 a.m. was shot dead in her car in India 's capital , New Delhi . The state 's chief minister , Sheila Dixit , a woman , remarked that the girl was returning home all by herself `` at night in a city where people believe ... you know ... you should not be so adventurous . '' This week , a 23-year-old woman , accompanied by a male friend , boarded a bus on a busy road in the capital at 9 p.m. , only to be brutally raped by a group of men . She was then savagely beaten , stripped and thrown onto the road . The girl and her friend , who was attacked for trying to protect her , were returning home after watching a movie . She is battling for life in hospital , according to her doctors . India 's rising rape cases -- one every 22 minutes , according to the National Crime Records Bureau -- betray what is wrong with society . Millions of Indians continue to believe that women invite trouble on themselves by being careless . Mothers often chide daughters for wearing provocative clothing , in most cases a sleeveless garment or a pair of hip-hugging jeans . In cities such as New Delhi , easily the most-policed state in the country , few women will take public or private transport unescorted after nightfall . More than 600 rape cases have been reported in New Delhi alone this year , according to government records . Worse still , many more go unreported because a large number feel insecure about reporting rape or even sexual harassment to lawmakers , either because they are not taken seriously or because in several cases the protectors have turned perpetrators . Earlier this month , a girl who was raped in her village by four men , was then allegedly raped by a police officer who was handling her case , according to medical examiners . She had to be rescued by a police team that raided the hotel where she was being held . The incident happened in Uttar Pradesh , which borders Delhi . Around the same time in Punjab , another northern state , an officer who was protecting his daughter against sexual harassment -- locally referred to as `` Eve teasing '' -- was shot dead in public view , allegedly by a local political party member who was troubling her . The truth is , when most women report sexual harassment in India 's cities , towns and villages , they are typically met with a shrug . Slowly , but firmly , the onus of remaining safe seems to have shifted to women , instead of being shared by society and law-keepers . At a protest rally held in the city on Tuesday , when women waved placards saying : `` Do n't teach me what to wear , teach men not to rape , '' it was meant as a wake-up call for society , for mothers and fathers , for law-keepers as well as lawmakers . Other posters saying : `` Do n't get raped , '' with words crossed out to read : `` Do n't rape , '' were a chilling reminder of how vulnerable and isolated women feel in India . India 's apparent nonchalance towards sexual harassment has escalated into a major crisis . And we 're not just talking about the odd sly remark or attempt to grope a woman but far more serious assaults . India 's misplaced tolerance has helped this cascade into a brutal , violent menace . Follow @ CNNOpinion on Twitter .
23-year-old woman in critical condition in India after being raped , beaten by gang . The case has provoked widespread protests against authorities in India 's capital . Delhi reports a rape case 3 a.m. , according to the National Crime Records Bureau . Menon : Many Indians believe that women invite trouble on themselves by being careless .