"Not making sincere efforts..." Rajnath Singh's swipe at Bengal government over doctor's rape-murder
Aug 30, 2024
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], August 30 : Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday took a potshot at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government over the rape-murder incident of a doctor in Kolkata stating that while the Centre has adopted a strict attitude towards crimes against women many states are not making sincere efforts in this direction.
Addressing an event in Thiruvananthapuram, Singh said, "Our government has adopted a strict attitude towards crimes against women, but many states are not making sincere efforts in this direction. The recent heart-wrenching incident in Kolkata is very tragic and disgraceful...We have amended the law to provide for the capital punishment for heinous crimes like rape. This law should be implemented with strictness".
The alleged rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at Kolkata's R G Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9 has sparked a wave of protests and nationwide unrest.
The Union Minister also spoke about how the BJP-led governmnet at the Centre had put an end to the practice of triple talaq which he said was a "big issue" for Muslim women.
"The practice of triple talaq was a big issue for our Muslim sisters and daughters. In our country, ending a sacred institution like marriage by simply saying talaq three times could not be justified in any way," Singh said.
"But this was practised unabated and unchallenged. Our government showed the will and determination to end this evil practice. This came as a big relief to Muslim women," said the Union minister.
Speaking further on women's empowerment, the minister also highlighted the various developments in removing the obstacles women faced to serve in the armed forces. "After Independence, women were denied agency and opportunity to be active contributors to the development of this country. But the situation is now rapidly changing. For example, you can see that the share of women is increasing in the armed forces of the country", the minister said.
"Many obstacles to the entry of women into the Armed Forces have been removed. In all three wings of the armed forces, we have ensured increased participation of women.", he said.
The Defence Minister recalled in his speech that when he held the portfolio of the Home Affairs ministry, he issued an advisory to all states to fill one-third of vacancies in the security forces with women.
"Today, the participation of women has increased in all police forces and paramilitary forces," Singh said.
