DCW chief sits on indefinite hunger strike for swift punishment to rapists

Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal sat on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday, against the increasing incidents of rape being reported from across the country, demanding strict and swift punishment to the convicts in these cases.

Hundreds of women joined Maliwal in her protest against the gangrape and murder of a young veterinarian in Hyderabad and the brutal rape of a six-year-old girl in Rajasthan.

Maliwal said she has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding that rapists be hanged within six months of their conviction.

"My demand to PM is that we want capital punishment for the rapists of minor and major victims. The accused in the Hyderabad case must be hanged. Last year, I sat on protest and within 10 days, the government made a law that the rapists of minors will get capital punishment within six months, but this did not happen.

"I want the PM to implement the law now. I am demanding strict and swift punishment," she said, adding that the process to decide on mercy petitions should be time-bound.

The DCW chief said there is a shortage of 66,000 police officers and 45 fast-track courts in the capital Delhi. "We need to enhance the infrastructure for a better implementation of the law."
"He should encourage us that we are with you. We are not against the government."
But Maliwal said, "The Delhi police is also not supporting us. We do not have any tent here and it will be difficult for us to spend the night. They are threatening us that they will throw the protestors out by 5 in the morning."
Chanchal Solanki, 18 and Class 12 student, said, "We want the accused in the Hyderabad gangrape and murder case hanged, or allow the public to punish them."
The protesters were also holding placards on which their messages and demands were mentioned. One of them asked, "Police uncle, are we safe?"