Kejriwal extended support to DCW chief Swati Maliwal who has been on a hunger strike since Friday
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal extended his support to Chief of Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) Swati Maliwal who has been sitting on a hunger strike from Friday demanding death penalty for the rapists of minor girls within six months and strict law on crime against women.
Kejriwal, along with his wife reached Rajghat in the morning, where he slammed the BJP-led Central government over tacking the recent rape cases in Kathua and Unnao.
"Each one of us who is present here demands security, I am here because I am a father, a husband, a son and a brother. I am worried about the safety of women in Delhi and other parts of the country. I am participating in this protest to demand a system, which ensures their safety," Kejriwal said.
Maliwal had launched an indefinite hunger strike at Rajghat on Friday in the wake of rape cases of Unnao and Kathua. She had written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday regarding the same. "I will not break my anshan until Prime Minister don't insure country for a better system for the safety of our daughters," she had said.
On Sunday, Maliwal once again accused the Delhi Police of putting pressure on her to call off the strike. In a series of tweets, she claimed how the police are trying to force her to end the hunger strike.
"Earlier, the police asked us to vacate the area and now the DCP has come to the place with a force and a team of doctors. They have come out with a false medical report that claims my health is deteriorating. I am still fit to run. They will forcefully remove me from this place by the night," she said.
The Delhi Assembly had recently unanimously passed a resolution demanding amendments to the existing law to award death penalty to those convicted of rape of children under 12. The House also resolved to make stalking a non-bailable offence.
To do this, the Delhi government would have to draft a criminal law amendment Bill, get it cleared by the Cabinet and then the Assembly. Given the brute majority AAP enjoys in the House, it should be passed easily.
The approval of the lieutenant governor and the home ministry would be necessary to amend provisions in the Indian Penal Code and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act to make them applicable to Delhi.
RAPE ROKO CAMPAIGN
Earlier in March, the DCW had launched the 'Rape Roko' campaign after the brutal rape of an eight-month-old baby in January. Afterward, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and the district court bar associations also extended their support to the campaign.
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