Expressing his anguish over the delay in the execution of the rapists in the Nirbhaya case and the manner in which a section of people had welcomed the “encounter killing” of rapists in Hyderabad, noted Gandhian Anna hazare said on Monday that the delay in justice to rape victims would result in anarchy in the society.
In a letter written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Hazare stated: “The rapists in the Nirbhaya case were sentenced to death in 2013. The rapists have not executed seven years since Nirbhaya was gang-raped in the national capital. That’s why people have welcomed the encounter killing of accused in the Hyderabad rape and murder case. It does not augur well for democracy if the convicts in the Nirbhaya case are not executed for seven years. Hence, I see a threat of emergence of anarchy among the people”.
Hazare announced that he would resort to “Maun Vrat” (agitation of silence) from December 20 demand immediate execution of Nirbhaya rapists and steps from the Centre to ensure against recurring rapes across the country.
“Over the years, I have gone on fast on 20 occasions on various issues of public importance. Some issues raised by me were resolved. I will go an Rs maun vrat’ from December 20 to seek justice for Nirbhaya and steps to ensure against similar incidents in the country,” Hazare said in his post-script of his two-page letter to the Prime Minister.
Eight-two-year-old Hazare claimed that since a rapist had been hanged was hanged in West Bengal on August 14, 2005 and as many as 426 convicts were awaiting execution since then.
“I am told that over 6 lakh cases are pending since 7 to 10 years in Fast Track Courts. The 1091 helpline for women in distress doesn’t function efficiently. Nirbhaya Fund remains unutilized in many states.. Even Maharashtra is included in this... We have to be sensitive towards women. We have to have the will to deal effectively with women’s issues,” Hazare said.
“If there is delay in doing justice people is in itself injustice to the people concerned. The democracy faces a threat in the country, if the people begin to lose confidence and nurse suspicion in the judicial process. In such a situation, it becomes incumbent on Parliament to make strong laws and create a mechanism for effective implementation of the laws,” Hazare wrote in his letter.