People's Democracy

AIDWA Expresses Shock

Over Mumbai Rape Incident

THE All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) expressed its shock and horror at the rape of a disabled minor girl on a Mumbai suburban train in full view of the five other passengers. It said that the dreadful incident is symbolic of the degeneration of social values where even such a horrific incident does not prompt people to intervene to prevent the crime.

"The child could not scream or shout or speak because she was disabled. Those who could have prevented the crime were according to a senior correspondent of a newspaper present "paralyzed by fear". There is no report however that the rapist was either armed or violent. He was "drunk", but presumably sober enough to commit the crime of rape. Could not the five men who were witnesses have prevented this terrible crime? Does not their silence amount to abetment of the crime?", questioned AIDWA in a statement released on August 18.

It condemned the police efforts to justify their failure to provide security to women travelers, by the atrocious statement that police protection is provided only in women reserved compartments. "Does this mean that women can travel in general compartments only at their own risk?", questioned AIDWA.

It announced that it will be organising a protest action in Mumbai along with other organisations.