People's Democracy

‘Home Minister must Guarantee Violence Free Life’

IN a statement issued from New Delhi on December 14, the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) expressed its sense of deep shock over the irresponsible statement made by the union home minister, P Chidambaram, in parliament, blaming migrants for the increasing crimes in Delhi. The reports carried in the press show that 83 per cent of the crimes in the recent period have been committed by locals. However, this is not the main issue at stake. 

The AIDWA has expressed the opinion that the home minister is guilty of avoiding the real issue of how to make Delhi safer for its citizens, especially women. The police have not been able to curb the incidence of abduction, rape and sexual assault on women, and the most heinous crimes are being committed in the capital city of the country almost on a daily basis. Since the Delhi Police are under the jurisdiction of the home ministry, its responsibility in preventing such crimes and ensuring swift action against the culprits is of paramount importance. It cannot escape from its culpability in this regard by pointing fingers elsewhere.

Moreover, the AIDWA statement pointed out that the rate of conviction is also poor; in rape cases it is still only about one third of the occurrence and many offenders get away because of tardy investigation. There are many procedural delays, leading to miscarriage of justice. The home minister must intervene and make sure that the criminals are caught, subjected to speedy trial, and made to pay the penalty for their crime. The law must be made more stringent and comprehensive, and its implementation should be ensured. This is the urgent and immediate task the home minister must undertake to execute, so that the rights of people, including women, to a violence free life can be guaranteed.