CPI(M) accuses UPA of not addressing crimes against women

CPI(M) has accused the UPA of having no political agenda to address the issue of crime against women, saying it was not on the ruling alliance's priority list.

CPI(M) politburo member Brinda Karat said the UPA, which has been in power for last eight years, has made no efforts to amend and make tougher laws pertaining to crimes against women, particularly the law (Section 354 of IPC), which handles cases of molestation such as the one that happened in Guwahati.

"...I think, (Home Minister P) Chidambaram on many occasions has displayed great insensitivity to the different kinds of crime that women face. And I believe that for example, the whole issue of honour killings, Chidambaram does not seem to think we need a standalone law for that," Karat said.

Reacting to questions on the recent incident in Guwahati where a girl was molested on camera, she said there is a consensus across the Parliament on the need for tougher laws but the Home Minister doesn't think so" because of vote-bank politics.

"...Because this so called khap panchayats produce votes where they need them. Why is there delay in law against honour crime? What is the reason?" she asked.

The CPI(M) leader said the government has to "express regret" as to why it has delayed bringing so many legislations pertaining to women.

"There is no political agenda which addresses this as a priority...it is not on the priority list of the UPA government. That is the truth and that is how facts speak. All the legislations for women are in cold storage today, and so many of them," Karat said.

She also said the National Commission for Women (NCW) has to relook into its mandate and play a much more pro-active role.

"I am disappointed with its (NCW) functioning. There is no doubt about this. It must play a much more pro-active role," Karat said.

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