The Centre on Friday took cognizance of the heinous rape of a 10-year-old Dalit girl in Jharkhand allegedly on the diktat of a Panchayat and said that serious action would be initiated against the perpetrators of the crime.
The rape of the minor echoed in the Rajya Sabha with the entire House demanding stringent punishment to the culprits, forcing the Government to promise necessary action. “Necessary action will be initiated in the serious matter after taking up the issue with the Prime Minister,” Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thawarchand Gehlot said after the members demanded an action taken report on the issue.
Raising the issue during Zero Hour, BJP member Prabhat Jha said heads should hang in shame over the incident, alleging that the head of a panchayat issued a diktat for raping the 10-year-old in broad daylight, with the entire village remaining a mute spectator.
He said the girl was dragged to the forest and raped but none could come to her rescue while the hapless father and mother of the victim had to face much difficulty in lodging the complaint with the local police station as the police said there was no witness. “I appeal to the government of India to ensure justice to her. This kind of incidents cannot happen in India...Strict action is needed,” Jha said, as members cutting across party lines shouted “shame, shame”.
leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said, “Entire police machinery and the village should be held accountable. This is a question of neither A nor B Government. How can we allow thisIJ last year a legislation was passed, what happened to itIJ”
Congress member Ashwani Kumar demanded that the government should apprise the House of the action it has taken in the matter. Deputy Chairman P J Kurien, who was in the Chair, remarked, “The entire House is one on the issue. This being a heinous crime on a minor, government should enquire and come to House. Also, if such a crime has happened serious action should be taken.”
A minor was raped in Jharkhand allegedly on the panchayat head’s diktat by a person whose wife was allegedly molested by the girl’s brother at Gulgulia Dhora village in Bokaro district, some 160 km from Ranchi.