People's Democracy

CPI(M) Lambasts Chautala’s Views

THE Haryana state unit of the CPI(M) has sharply criticised the views expressed by leader of opposition Om Prakash Chautala describing the existing age of marriage as the chief factor responsible for the spate of rape cases in the recent weeks in the state. In a press release issued by the party from Rohtak on October 11, the party’s state secretary Inderjit Singh said such regressive views have also been aired by the self-styled caste panchayats. Denouncing the anti-women sentiments pervading such statements, the CPI(M) has also characterised certain comments made by Chautala on the Mughal period as totally baseless and far from truth.

Singh also stated that holding the existing age limit of marriage as responsible for the rape cases unfortunately amounts to justifying the horrible crimes against women and further emboldens the culprits. According to the CPI(M), the position of leader of opposition is a constitutional office and Chautala should have given some thought to his position before commenting on this extremely sensitive matter. Congress(I) leaders in Haryana are already indulging into diversionary tactics instead of seriously addressing the issue, and now Chautala too has joined them.

The CPI(M) has appealed to all the progressive and justice loving citizens to come forward and play an active, comprehensive and constructive role in making the law enforcing agencies act and guarantee the security of women.