Want concrete action from PM: DCW chief

Ananya Panda

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 15

Demanding death penalty to rapists of minors within six months, Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chairperson Swati Maliwal, who has been sitting on an indefinite fast for the past three days at Rajghat here, today refused to give up until concrete steps are taken towards the same claiming the Centre — “jittery over the women power” is trying to “forcefully remove” her from the site by the police.

“Don’t expect mere speeches from our Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but concrete action,” said DCW chief while claiming woman commissions in the country are not able to act under pressure from the Central and state governments.

If the Prime Minister can implement demonetisation in “single night”, then introducing a system to ensure safety of women is also possible, she added amid chorus of “Swati ji sangharsh karo hum tumhare saath hain”.

“Huge support has come in over the last three days.... How much Modi’s police is worrying about me. If Modi does for ensuring safety of women, I would not have to sit for fast here,” said Maliwal.

“First the police told to vacate the site. Now the DCP accompanied by police forces and doctors has come with a fake medical report saying my life is in danger. Will forcefully lift me during the night. I have been asking to allow me to consult a private doctor, but not letting me to do so,” Maliwal said.

Earlier, the DCW chief responding to a tweet of BJP’s Mathura MP Hema Malini asked her to collect woman MPs and immediately speak to the Prime Minister to create infrastructure, step up police resources, accountability and fast-track courts so that certainty and swiftness in punishment is guaranteed.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal while backing the DCW chief’s demands today said his government would amend the law to secure death penalty for the rapists of minor girls.

While vowing to take the legislative measure during the next assembly session, Kejriwal also said he would also set up fast-track courts to complete the trial of the cases of crime against women in six months.

The Chief Minister, however, lamented that like Delhi Government, its Vidhan Sabha too was "just a quarter of an assembly" as all bills passed by it required Centre's approval.

Kejriwal also launched a sharp attack on the BJP over the Unnao and Kathua rape cases, saying a dangerous message was being relayed that if the accused belonged to the party ruling at the Centre, the entire machinery would step in to shield him.

“We will bring amendments in the IPC and CrPC during the next assembly session to ensure death penalty for those found guilty of raping minors and (set up) fast-track courts so that trials get over in six months," he said.

Similarly CPI national secretary Atul Anjan and representatives from transgender community also extended support at Samta Sthal here. (With PTI Inputs)