FACE-OFF AT GANDHI STATUE HIGHLIGHTS GROWING POLITICAL POLARIZATION OVER CRIMES AGAINST WOMEN IN INDIA

A face-off erupted between the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Indian National Congress (INC) at the Gandhi statue in Parliament on July 24, 2023, over the issue of crimes against women.The incident occurred after a group of women activists from the INC staged a protest at the statue, demanding that the government take more action to protect women from violence. The protesters were carrying placards with slogans such as "Stop Rape" and "Justice for Nirbhaya."

The NDA MPs, led by Home Minister Amit Shah, arrived at the statue shortly after the protest began. Shah tried to convince the protesters to leave, but they refused. The situation then escalated when the NDA MPs began to shout slogans against the INC.The protesters responded by shouting slogans against the BJP. The two groups then traded barbs for several minutes, before the NDA MPs finally left the scene.

The incident highlights the growing political polarization in India over the issue of crimes against women. The INC has accused the BJP of not doing enough to protect women, while the BJP has accused the INC of politicizing the issue.

The face-off also comes at a time when India is facing a surge in crimes against women. In 2022, there were over 40,000 reported cases of rape in India, according to the National Crime Records Bureau. This is a significant increase from the previous year, when there were over 33,000 reported cases.

The government has taken some steps to address the issue of crimes against women, such as increasing the number of women police officers and strengthening the anti-rape laws. However, many activists argue that the government needs to do more to protect women from violence.

Recently the country was stirred with an incidence where a video went viral showing two women from minority Kuki tribe in Manipur was stripped naked , publicly paraded and gang raped. This incident shows us the horrific side of crime rate increasing against women.

Thus,the face-off at the Gandhi statue is a reminder that the issue of crimes against women is a serious one that needs to be addressed. The government must take concrete steps to protect women from violence, and the political parties must work together to find a solution.

So what are the measures that govt can take to protect women from violence???

1)Increase the number of women police officers. Women police officers are more likely to be trusted by female victims of violence, and they are also more likely to be sensitive to the needs of these victims.

2)Strengthen the anti-rape laws. The current anti-rape laws in India are not strong enough to deter rapists. The government should strengthen these laws by making it easier for victims to report rape and by increasing the penalties for rapists.

3) Provide more support services like counselling, medical services and economic assistance to victims of violence. The government should provide more support services for these victims so that they can recover from their trauma and rebuild their lives.

4) Raise awareness about the issue of violence against women. This can be done through public education campaigns, school programs, and media outreach.

5)Provide training for law enforcement officers on how to deal with cases of violence against women. This training should focus on sensitivity, empathy, and the importance of victim-centered care.

6)Create a more supportive environment for victims of violence. This can be done by providing them with access to safe housing, counseling, and financial assistance.

7) Hold criminals accountable for their actions. This can be done by strengthening the legal system and ensuring that rapists and other perpetrators of violence are brought to justice.

The political parties must also work together to find a solution to the problem of crimes against women. They should stop politicizing the issue and start working together to develop and implement policies that will protect women from violence.The government and the political parties must work together to address the issue of violence against women.