Social activists criticize R.R. Patil over his remarks

Women social activists across the country on Wednesday criticized Maharashtra Home Minister R.R. Patil over his remarks that crime against women can't be stopped even if the government provides one policeman for every house.

Annie Raja said, "We condemn such a statement from R.R. Patil. People like him should make sure that police are doing their duty properly. This will itself help fight the crime against women."

"Such public statements that encourage anti-women force will give an impression to the criminals that they have the backing of Patil and they will continue to do such things," she added.

Abha Singh said, "This is a very careless and irresponsible statement by Patil.

He cannot take care of the women in Maharashtra. He has no authority to continue as the Home Minister of Maharashtra."

Earlier, Patil stirred a controversy by stating in the state assembly that even if the government provides one policeman for every house, crime against women can't be stopped.

Patil made the statement in the Maharashtra Assembly, while replying to the opposition's charge that women are feeling unsafe under the current regime.

Patil said that the rise in rape cases is the result of a downslide in moral values.

Defending his comment, Patil said 6.34 percent rapes are committed by brothers and fathers, 6.65 percent of rapes are committed by close relatives, 42 percent by known persons and 40 percent of the women are raped after being lured for marriage.

"Rate of crimes against women is lesser in Maharashtra as compared to other states," he stressed.

Patil's controversial statement assumes significance in the wak of President Pranab Mukherjee saying on Monday that the central government will have a zero tolerance policy for violence against women.

Women activists, experts and observers said they were shocked by Patil's comments, and demanded that he should resign, and be held accountable for the way the police force in his state was operating.