Expressing concern over increasing crimes against women and deteriorating security of women in the country, social activists blame police for the situation. Director of Centre for Social Research and Member of National Mission for Empowerment of Women, Ranjana Kumari, at a workshop in the Capital, criticised Delhi Police and also stated that there was a trust deficit. A two-day workshop on Improving Women’s Security in India is being organised by the Institute of Conflict Management headed by KPS Gill and the Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPR&D).
Security of women has been one of the most discussed issues after the December 16 Delhi gang-rape. The number of registered rape cases has also risen unprecedentedly. Aiming the dart directly at Delhi Police, Ranjana Kumari claimed that when a victim approaches police, the first question asked is: ‘Why it happenedIJ’ on the assumption that somewhere down the line the victim is to blame. “There is so much inefficiency and corrupt practices by the policemen. They boast about their powers and use them in an abusive manner,” she said.
She also said that modern ways of investigations are yet to be adopted by police.
On the other hand, editor of Manushi and senior research fellow at the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) Madhu Purnima Kishwar believes the Government and police cannot bring about a change alone, “but as citizens of the country we need to help one another and take initiatives if we know something wrong is happening around us.”
She further went on to say that there is an alarming gap between what the law states and the way in which it is practiced. “Instead of blaming the laws, they need to be examined carefully. Inspector General at BPR&D Nirmal Kaur opined that there is a need to create general awareness and understanding of the problems of women.
“Equal opportunities begin at home. More sensitivity and empathy needs to be seen in society,” she said.