Political leaders, cutting across party lines, on Friday expressed outrage and anguish over the gang-rape of a 22-year-old photojournalist in Mumbai and demanded implementation of anti-rape legislation to ensure harsh punishment to culprits.
“We cannot afford to let our women and children live in insecurity and must make sure that such attacks against women are dealt in the severest manner,” law Minister Kapil Sibal said.
Minister of State for Home RPN Singh said the Home Ministry has sought a detailed report from the Mumbai Police while Home Minister
Sushilkumar Shinde informed that he has spoken to the Mumbai Police Commissioner about the inquiry.
“It is an extremely tragic and unfortunate incident that has happened in Mumbai. We have asked for a detailed report from the Mumbai Police. We have also asked the Mumbai Police to take immediate action...To arrest the accused. Harshest punishment should be meted out to these people,” Singh said.
lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar said, “A new legislation was proposed in the Parliament few days after the December 23 gang-rape in Delhi. I hope the legislation will now be implemented in this case.”
Condemning the incident, BJP leader Najma Heptullah lamented that there is no law and order in the country. There is no fear of law in the minds of people because they don’t get punished after committing such crimes. They get away with it.
BSP supremo Mayawati said the Central and State Governments should take concrete steps to prevent such crimes in the country. “Social and even religious organisations should also come forward to make people join the awareness campaign. Efforts should be from all sides to curb such incidents,” she said. Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut blamed the Maharashtra Government’s lackadaisical attitude for the incident. “Such a big incident of gang-rape has happened in Mumbai. What is the Government doingIJ What is the home department, police force, intelligence and vigilance department doingIJ law and order in Mumbai, Pune and Maharashtra is in shambles. Women and even school girls are not safe anymore,” he said.