BJP to raise with Prez issue of crime against women

The principal opposition held a meeting of its Core Group and general secretaries here today to discuss the "government's attitude" in the wake of the gangrape of a 23-year old woman in Delhi and the huge protests which have followed the incident and decided that its delegation will meet the President.

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj said it is regrettable that government "does not want to talk" to the Opposition or the protesters. She condemned the police action against the students who were agitating on the issue.

"Since the government has refused to call a special session of Parliament to pass stringent laws to punish those committing crimes against women and also to hold an all-party meeting, we have sought time from President Pranab Mukherjee tomorrow to discuss the issue," she said.

The BJP leader lamented that police used tear gas and batons against the protesters, including women.

"Yesterday women were lathicharged ruthlessly by male police personnel. 80 student protesters were admitted to Ram Manohar Lohia hospital," Swaraj said.

She said that the agitation has spread across the country. "If government does not take action, public anger will increase further. Everyday the newspapers are full of crimes against women. This is accumulated anger," Swaraj said.

The BJP leader said that while her party had raised the issues of growing atrocities against women in Parliament recently, there was no response from the government.