Keenan’s father writes to PM, demands stronger laws for women’s safety

A week after a 23-year-old paramedical student was brutally gangraped in Delhi, Valerian Santos, the father of Keenan, has written a strongly worded letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh demanding stronger laws to ensure safety of women. Keenan and his friend Reuben Fernandes were killed last year while trying to protect their female friends from a group of eve-teasers.

Valerian expressed his fear that once the protest in Delhi dies down, things will be back to what they were. "After my son and Reuben were killed, there was a long campaign for women's safety and for the killers to be swiftly punished, but little has changed a year later. I am writing this letter because I am as much pained at the girl's plight as I was when my son died," he said.

He also extended support to the protestors in the Capital. "I support the youth of Delhi and India who, tired of this menace, have brought this issue to the forefront with the help of the nation's media. The reason why I am writing to you Sir, is because this menace is not restricted to just Delhi or Mumbai, but affects entire India," he wrote.

"I know that the Prime Minister is aware of both incidents. I wrote this letter because even after the authorities took cognizance, changes in law are moving at a snail's pace," he added.

Valerian has asked for amendments in existing laws and for the enactment of others, which will act as a deterrent to offenders. He wrote: "Section 354 and 509 of the Indian Penal Code should be made non-bailable, non-cognizable and non-compoundable across the country. The central government should issue general directives to the concerned committees (NCW and SCWs) to come up with a well-drafted legislation for women's safety within three months."

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