NASHIK/MUMBAI: Rohini Khadse, the NCP (SP) state women's wing president, made an emotional appeal to President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday, requesting permission for women to "commit one murder".
Expressing grave concerns about women's safety across the country, Rohini, the daughter of Jalgaon politician and former state minister Eknath Khadse, accused govt of being indifferent to the issue.
"We want to kill the oppressive mentality, the rapist tendency, the inactive law and order system. For this reason, we have sought permission from the President of India. The same party is in control of central and state govts, yet there is an inordinate delay in enacting stringent laws like the Shakti Act that was made by MVA," Khadse told TOI.
In her letter to President Murmu, Khadse highlighted the deteriorating state of women's security nationwide, suggesting that women feel compelled to take extreme measures for change. She referred to historical figures, stating, "At the time when their kingdom was in danger, heroic women like Maharani Tararani, Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar, and others pulled out the sword in the defence of their people. We are facing another kind of danger. Why should women today lag?"
Khadse said that while people typically sympathise with the victims of injustice, women facing sexual harassment often have to face blame regarding their attire, behaviour and even the time of their outings.
"Can society explain why minors are raped? The social psyche needs to change and, therefore, we have made an emotional appeal," Khadse said.
NCP (SP) spokesperson Clyde Crasto said that the appeal reflects both the emboldened nature of the criminals and govt's failure to punish offenders.
"The govt needs to find out why Rohini Khadse has made this demand. Women are being pushed against the wall with nobody coming to their help. Women are desperate for a peaceful atmosphere and, therefore, such things are now cropping up in their minds. Khadse is vocalising the anguish in the minds of women," Crasto said.