MPs demand stringent action against rapists

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Press Trust of India New Delhi
Last Updated : Jul 19 2016 | 6:07 PM IST
Some woman members in the Lok Sabha today expressed indignation at the recent cases of rape in different parts of the country and made an impassioned plea for stringent action against rapists, drawing widespread support from across the political divide.
Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Ranjeet Ranjan (Cong) spoke about the gangrape of a girl in Haryana by the same accused who had raped her three years back and the sexual assault and murder of a girl in Maharashtra.
She also highlighted the rape of a girl in Uttar Pradesh who later delivered a child and was reportedly threatened by the accused.
"I don't think women and girls are getting justice, irrespective of how many laws we may have. By speaking here, I am merely trying to satisfy myself and tell the victims that at least I can vent out my frustration here if not anything else.
"Will they get justice in our country or we will merely bow our heads in shame," she asked.
Supriya Sule (NCP) also raised the recent case of rape and murder in Maharashtra and demanded stringent steps to check such heinous crimes.
She said that after the Delhi gangrape incident, Parliament had passed laws in one voice. "But no change is coming in the society. Now is the time to look at what more we can do... Some stringent actions are required," she said.
At one point, she suggested public hanging of those criminals, but immediately said "this is not right thing" and wanted more discussion on the subject.
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Sule said the time has come now to see what more can be done on issues of rape.
"I think the kind of mentality which prevails has to be dealt with by fast track system or some extreme steps including public hanging. I know I am wrong by saying this but some action is needed," she said.
She said parents are concerned about their daughters' safety.
"On one side, we talk about empowering women and on the other hand we are becoming regressive. There is need to discuss this issue in detail and police should be sensitive about such cases..So that fear may be instilled in their (criminals) minds," she added.
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said the member has raised a very sensitive issue and "you have said the right thing".
Bhairon Prasad Mishra and Pushpendra Singh Chandel also associated with the issues raised by Sule.
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First Published: Jul 19 2016 | 6:07 PM IST

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