The State BJP has raised the issue of non-functional State Women’s Commission. State BJP spokesperson Rafiya Naaz said that non-functional of State Women’s Commission is not only an administrative failure, but also exposes the government's thinking towards women. BJP state spokesperson Rafia Naz reacted sharply to this and said that now it has become completely clear that the government is not at all serious about the issues of women empowerment and women's rights.
Rafia Naz said that the term of the chairperson and members of the State Women's Commission ended in the year 2020, but the commission has not been reconstituted since then. She said, "This is a clear indication that the government's intentions are flawed." Due to the non-formation of the Women's Commission, thousands of women of Jharkhand are deprived of justice today. This commission gives women a platform where they can register their complaints without fear and discrimination, and demand quick action. It is not only an advisory body, but it also has constitutional powers to conduct investigations, submit reports and fix accountability from the government.
Rafia Naz said that in the absence of the commission, more than 5,200 cases are pending today, which include serious cases like sexual abuse, domestic violence, dowry harassment, child marriage and workplace harassment. She said, "There is no hearing of these thousands of victims, and their files are gathering dust in government offices. Is this the Jharkhand model of women's respect and security?"
Rafia said that announcements were made to establish special courts for speedy disposal of crimes against women, but no concrete work was done at the ground level.
She further said that the establishment of women police pickets has also been limited to the announcements of the state government. Women, especially in rural and remote areas, do not have any security system. Police stations are far away, there are less women police personnel and in many cases it takes months for the victim to even register an FIR. Due to the inaction of the Women's Commission, women are feeling completely insecure and helpless.
Rafia Naz said that Hemant ji's government is doing politics of only slogans and announcements. She said, "When the daughters of the country are hoisting the flag of India on Chandrayaan, the daughters of Jharkhand are wandering from door to door for justice. It is shameful that the state government has failed to keep even a minimum justice platform running for women."
Citing NCRB data, she said that in the year 2023, 6,313 cases of crime against women were registered in Jharkhand, including 1,052 cases of rape, 1,498 cases of molestation and 890 cases related to dowry. It is a matter of concern that in more than half of these cases, charge sheets have not been filed yet. These figures are proof that the government has become insensitive.
Rafia also said that women, especially from tribal and rural areas, are being affected the most due to the absence of the commission. More than 1,400 cases of child marriage have been registered between 2021 and 2023, but action is incomplete in more than 80% of these. She said, “When constitutional institutions themselves become inactive, how will the fight against social evils and crimes be fought?” Women are being murdered every day in the name of witch hunting and the state government is silent….
Rafia also said that while the central government is empowering women through programs like “Nari Shakti Vandan Yojana”, “Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana” and “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao”, the Jharkhand government is not even able to form a constitutional body. She said, “This is not duplicity, but political hypocrisy.”
The BJP state spokesperson warned, “We will become the voice of every victim and will continue the struggle till every daughter of Jharkhand gets justice.”
In the end, Rafia Naz asked the state government in clear words - “Now answer why there is an intention to deprive women of justice? The absence of a women's commission is itself a crime - when will the Jharkhand government wake up?