Mumbai/New Delhi: On Wednesday, Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi voiced grave concerns over the “shameful crimes against daughters” and questioned the direction that society in the country is taking.
“After West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, the shameful crimes against daughters in Maharashtra also force us to think where are we going as a society?” said Rahul Gandhi in a tweet today.
Referring to the recent incident of two nursery girls allegedly being raped at the Adarsh Vidya Prasarak Sanstha school in Badlapur, Maharashtra, Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi raises serious concerns about the safety of women in our society.
He pointed out how, after the crime against the two innocent (nursery school) girls in Badlapur, the first step to get them justice was not taken until the public came out on the streets crying for ‘justice’.
“Will we have to protest even to get an FIR registered? Why has it become so difficult for the victims to even go to the police station?” the LoP said.
Without taking names, Rahul Gandhi contended that “more efforts are made to hide the crime than to get justice, the biggest victims of which are women and people from weaker sections.”
He said that not registering a First Information Report (FIR) not only discourages victims but also encourages criminals.
“All governments, citizens and political parties will have to seriously think about what steps should be taken to provide a safe environment to women in the society. Justice is the right of every citizen, it cannot be made ‘dependent on the will’ of the police and administration,” the LoP said.
Rahul Gandhi’s powerful social media message was released the day after widespread public demonstrations in Thane’s Badlapur town, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s home district. The protests, which included a 10-hour rail blockade that affected Central Railways’ long-distance and suburban services, were a clear indication of the public’s outrage and the urgent need for action.
After the two nursery girls at the Adarsh Vidya Prasarak Sanstha school were allegedly raped, the protesters turned violent, pelting stones, bursting tear gas shells, and baton-charge by the police till the crowds dispersed late on Tuesday.
The Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi has sharply attacked the ruling MahaYuti government, demanding its resignation due to its failure to address the growing number of atrocities against women. They have also announced a statewide ‘bandh’ (shutdown) on August 24 to draw attention to these issues. This action is significant as the Maharashtra Assembly elections are scheduled around October-November this year, and it could influence the political discourse around women’s safety.
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–IANS
