This refers to the editorial, “Betraying people's trust” (June 6). It is indeed shameful that rape incidents in Uttar Pradesh have drawn the attention of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. The national crime record data ending 2012 shows that the State has the distinction of being in the third place with regard to all crimes against women and also at the same place in respect to rapes reported in the State. There is no use decrying the ‘interference' by the United Nations.
Irresponsible statements by ruling Samajwadi Party leaders, blaming the media for highlighting the cases or comparing the State's record with other States is not going the salvage the reputation of the Government. Rather, strong political will is needed to bring change in the socio-political equations and also rein in the rowdy elements to bring relief to the women. This determination has been missing in this and earlier regimes of the Samajwadi Party as well as the Bahujan Samaj Party.