The Manav Adhikar Suraksha Manch (MASM) organised a seminar on “Atrocities on women in learned and cultured society: Its reason and remedies” here on Sunday presided over by former Principal of Khallikote (Autonomous) College Prof Saritanjali Bahidar.
Hundreds of teachers, academicians, senior citizens, social activists and members of women organisations participated in the seminar.Those who spoke included Prof Saritanjali Bahidar, former District Inspector of Schools Binodini Pradhan, CDPO Amita Mishra and Prof Ranganath Mishra.
The speakers arrived at a consensus that rampant sale and consumption of liquor, showing of obscene scenes in electronic media and widespread propagation of indecent culture are the three prime reasons for the increasing atrocities on women in the State such as rape, eve-teasing and murder, which need to be checked immediately by the Government through stringent laws and public awareness campaign.
On the plea of fetching revenue for the State exchequer, the Government has made liquor available as an essential commodity and there is no control over liquor mafias instead of taking stringent measures for total prohibition, they observed.
The seminar unanimously resolved to observe the death anniversary of Tikiri schoolteacher Itishree Pradhan as “Self Esteem Day for Women” as a token of respect to the departed soul.
The speakers in unison demanded complete prohibition of sale and use of liquor besides a ban on the widespread propagation of vulgar culture and obscene scenes in the media to prevent atrocities on women. MASM coordinator advocate Abani Kumar Gaya urged the student community to take lead in the agitation for total prohibition besides a complete ban on obscene and vulgar scenes in the media.
Earlier, a two-minute silent prayer to condole the death of Itishree and teacher leader Prof Abani Kumar Boral was observed. Among others who joined the seminar were Maguni Nahak, Bansidhar Bhuyan, Sambasiv Rao, Prasant Kumar Das, Pradip Kumar Sahu and Bishnupriya Rana.