Rape, China incursions figure in RS
Repeated cases of rape being reported from various parts of the country and continuing incursions by Chinese troops into Indian territory in Uttarakhand were some of the issues prominently raised in the Rajya Sabha by the BJP which demanded home minister Sushilkumar Shinde’s intervention to prevent crimes against women.
The government came under sharp attack by the Opposition which referred to the recent incidents of the rape of a dalit girl in Jind in Haryana and that of a woman constable in Jharkhand even as other members made references to rape cases happening in Delhi and Maharashtra.
Incidentally, all these states are ruled by Congress either alone or in alliance with regional parties. As members rued that despite their raising such issues repeatedly in the House, action is not forthcoming and the government is not responding, minister of state for parliamentary affairs Rajeev Shukla said the government was ready for discussion on the issue provided members give notices.
Najma Heptulla (BJP) said no judgement is coming on the December 16 Delhi gangrape case even though it was being heard by a fast-track court. “What is the fast-track court doing? It’s a slow-track court... I think government should take serious note of this,” she said. She said that it appears that the new legislation containing strict punishment for offenders of sexual crimes has failed to have a deterrent effect on the ground.
Deputy chairman P.J. Kurien said “the House is one in condemning this heinous crime (Jind rape case)” and would request government to ensure that the “severest punishment” be given to the culprits.” He said government should come back to the House to tell what action has been taken. Praful Patel, who was the only minister present in the House, said, he will convey to the home minister the sentiments of the House. “Even if it involves any state government, we will ask the government of India to talk to the concerned state,” he said.
The issue of unrest in Syria was also raised in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday with members demanding that that India should formulate a policy in this regard and take up a position.
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