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Soumya murder: Sheila in dock over remarks

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Agencies Posted: Oct 02, 2008 at 0917 hrs IST
Related Stories: Dikshit's 'adventurous' comment 'outrageous': Advani
New Delhi, October 2: : Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Thursday came under attack from politicos and women activists for her comments on the murder of journalist Soumya Vishwanathan that 'one should not be adventurous.'

Terming Dikshit's observation as unwarranted, women activists have said the Chief Minister should instead ensure safety of citizens, particularly those working late hours.

"It is shocking to hear such a statement from the person who has a 'women-friendly image.' The murder of the girl in the late hours speaks volumes of the safety concerns of women," activist Ranjana Kumari said.

Referring to Dikshit's comment made soon after the murder of Soumya, Ranjana Kumari questioned the extent of safety of a person on such desolate roads where there is no police presence.

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"If not the State then on whom will the people depend for their safety," she said.

The Opposition BJP too lashed out at Dikshit saying the ‘unwarranted’ quotes by her were a manifestation of her insensitivity to the security of Delhi's citizens.

"It proves her insensitivity towards the security of the people living in Delhi. Instead of airing such unwarranted statements she should rather concentrate on improving the security scenario in the capital.”

"Being a lady herself one expected her to be a bit more sober in commenting on the killing of a young working woman," party leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra said.

"India is a free country and everybody is free to do whatever they want to do. If Soumya was an adventurous girl, it was her choice," Jai Panda, a Rajya Sabha member and Biju Janta Dal leader said.

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View all Messages [ 56 ]
Sheila in dock over remarks by RealityCheck on 2008-10-16 19:14:53.154231+05:30
I think we, the public are blowing the poor lady's commenst way out of proportion. Any woman in her right mind would NOT travel all alone in the wee hours of night in ANY part of the country- leave alone Delhi. Agreed It's a shame to live in such conditions where one isn't safe in her own country; but it's also a shame to be foolish enough to think that one is safe enough travelling all alone at late nights. Also, may i add, just like in call centres where women travelling at night get guards to drop them home, maybe even media houses should start providing some security measures, instead of trying the propaganda game at which they play.
Safety of women in Delhi by MOHAN DADDIKAR on 2008-10-03 10:54:32.749299+05:30
In India, even a dunce or a hardened criminal can aim for a high post in policitcsgovy., if he/or she is blesessed by Sonia Gandhi, and Uma Dixit is no exception. Unless the high securtiy provided for the safety of all VIPs (Including sonia Gandhi and her prince ) at enormous cost to the public treasury is withdrawn ,these pampered VIPs will not know how unsecure an avaerage Indian is feeling uner UPA regime.
Sheila Dixit's comment by Rina Kamath on 2008-10-03 10:51:32.786283+05:30
"Adventurous"?? Is that what you call a hard-working, sincere media professional who stayed beyond her working hours to support the news staff when breaking news was coming in? A daughter who was responsible enough to inform her parents that she was on her way home? Shame on you, Sheila Dixit. And may God help the citizens of Delhi.
Radical feminism by Parthasarathy on 2008-10-03 10:39:26.898032+05:30
A GENERATION GAP exists in the women population of India. While Sheila is of the older generation, Soumya belongs to the 'single, wont mingle' kind of this era. The politicians and feminists are no doubt behind Soumya - no surprise there.
soul searching by ranjib on 2008-10-03 10:19:12.308424+05:30
Is travelling back home in wee hours actually proper?shouldn't the individual be concerned and careful about her/himself? moreover as reported in the media soumya did call up her father on way back to home.shouldn't her father have restrained her from coming home so late? is it approprite to move around/come home during the time when roads are deserted? or has it been concluded that all anti-social elements have turned saints? if that isn't being adventourus then what else is it?i how many of us,those who are blowing shiela dixit's comment out of proportion, have the guts to allow our own children to travel late in the night? shiela dixit never said the city is unsafe rather she made a comment on being adventourous.instead of blowing it out of proportion we all should engage in some honest soul searching to find out whether soumya did the right thing by travelling such late.lets not forget that taking measures to be safe is an individul's responsibility too!!!!
Let mankind turn to new ways of living. Let hauntind, biting, baiting etc stop once for all. Let all resources get focussed for welfare activities. Let there be no miseries by P. Suresh on 2008-10-03 10:16:23.093975+05:30
So called society is running on baiting, biting this or that individual instead of focussing on constructive work. ALL professional could focus resources on issues that are for welfare. But, majority turn to ways that bring instant rewards, fame etc for selves. This causes immense misery to all. There is urgent needfor mankind to change ways of living, deriving happiness.Let hounding etc stop. Let wisdom prevail. Let it be possible for all to mend ways and enable simplicity, honesty, dedication, virtues etc to be able to beget happiness, dignity, representation to all constituents of universe. Let there be no cross overs by anybody, let miseries do not get caused at all. Let politics not rule. Let wisdom prevail. Let entire society be at peace.
Sheila herself is a Daily paid Coolie by G.Sriniwasan on 2008-10-03 10:04:23.573657+05:30
While Shiela herself as a CM works as a DAIL PAID COOLIE reporting to the SENORIA at the same time moves around with a Z security,has the audacity to comment on other ladies working as ADVENTOROUS.If Shiela has her Z security removed and has to work to earn a living possibley she will change her tone of her language.As long we have Insesitive politicians like Sheila in our midst woman of India have no future.
Outrageous From Sheila by Sunil Maingi on 2008-10-03 09:35:40.168164+05:30
The outrageous and unacceptable comment from the chief minister, shows the callous attitude of the state towards its common citizens. These people in high places, do not care about the safety of it's citizens. The very same people, whose hard earned money is used to fund their own personal security. If this is the attitude of the chief minister, towards safety of citizens, she should be dismissed from office, and all her security should be withdrawn. It may be true that the police does not come under her, but she, instead of taking up the issue of law and order with the home minister, on behalf of citizens, tells the citizens, to go to work at their own peril. The state is not responsible for their safety. It would be interesting, what her seniors in the Congress party have to say about this comment, from her.
Sheila Dixit on Soumya by Aditi Datta on 2008-10-03 09:32:40.001857+05:30
CM Sheila Dixit's comments are not only insensitive but speaks volumes of the mindset that considers single independent woman who go about doing their usual work as being 'adventrous'. Her remarks also points to the deep prejudices that would love to treat men and women differently and perpetuate the stereotypes about women (that is women should stay indoors, not venture out and by chance she ventures out and something happens, it is the women's fault.) I wonder the CM would apply the same logic if it were a man who was shot dead instead of Souyma. Instead of providing security to its residents and trying to ensure that guilty is caught sooner or later, her statement seeks to deflect the focus from the case. It is her job that she ensures speedy justice to the bereaved family as she is accountable to the people for what she says. In the meantime, she can hire some personal relations executive who can advise and train her in public speaking. I am sure, the CM could afford this.
ADD ONs by P K Ray on 2008-10-03 08:52:55.120672+05:30
The frequent doses of terrorism and inflation are not sufficient to kill people and hence we have these add ons. It will be preferred by Delhi Govt. that you dont move an inch out of your house during festval days. There will surely be no cxasualties. Delhi Govt. will not allow anyone to come inside your house and kill you. Bravo Shielaji, you surely deserve another 10 year stint. We will stop moving out of our house and law and order will be intact. We deserve this. Thanks.
Shame on Dikshit by Ravi on 2008-10-03 08:33:35.467792+05:30
How will Sheila Dixit provide security ? They are never satisfied despite the growing entourage of "security" personnel for politicians.The life of a politician is worth perhaps a billion times more than common man/woman.In a crude way this is the message she is sending out "Soumya you deserve this for being progressive
"adventurous" Girls and Not So Adventurous Killers on Delhi Roads by Geetha Nambisan on 2008-10-03 08:22:02.061493+05:30
Shiela Dixit's assumption that a woman driving home at 3 am is being "adventurous" really puts in jeopardy the question of women's safety in Delhi. What is more alarming is that she had NOTHING to say about those who committed the cowardly and inhuman act - "adventurous" or otherwise..... This certainly exposes the insensitivity of our political leadership to women's lives or safety. Ms.Dixit, please stop paying lip service to the girl child and women!
She is right by Krishnan on 2008-10-03 08:18:50.530595+05:30
She is the chief minister and she must be knowing the real situation in Delhi. Foget the criminals, if you have a bunch of thugs (Delhi encounter police) to uphold the law, better to stay home.
Political by tiwari on 2008-10-03 07:43:51.079041+05:30
The most adventures job is a woman in a political party where an ordinary man can not survive what about woman.And Mrs. Dixit may know this better.Then how she can comment like this.Is this really her comment.
SHEILA. DIXIT'S REMAK. by ATUL.MARU. on 2008-10-03 07:43:43.822961+05:30
Delhi CM is not wrong in her remarks. It is the channels -all who do not provide any safe and good transport have ganged up to-gether to save their dirty faces.
Character assination by Sonia's friend by Gopaldas Vaidyanathan on 2008-10-03 07:37:31.999596+05:30
Sheila's family is being provided prominnce only on the ground that her father-in-law was the treasurerof the Congress Party and forkeeping secrets of Nehru Famkily.Otherwiswe such fauxpas by such typ[pe of VCongress Party would haved been kicked out and prosecuted.Her redmaks on Saumya is deefamatory and amounting to her charaacter assainatkion.
please let normal indian live there normal life by akshay on 2008-10-03 07:35:17.135469+05:30
for god sake politicians when your greed will finish please give good future for up coming generations of indian people stop bring religion every time for your personal benifits.
Shela by Srinivas on 2008-10-03 06:14:27.13494+05:30
After Oscar it is Sheila's turn dump the congress in the next elections.
adventurous to unseat UPA/Congress by indian on 2008-10-03 05:43:08.309484+05:30
all the UPA/Congress are adventurous in appeasing muslims and christians. We should advice them suitably through the next elections and unseat them throughout the country.This veerappa moily's statement suggesting for the next PM is the most childish and unbecoming of his age . I thinik he has become mad. As rightly pointed by the PM there are qualfied and competant people for the next PM. This Mr.Moily has become OILY and needs cleaning of his mind thoroughly- but his mind is already dead !!!
Ms. Dixit by Dinesh on 2008-10-03 05:09:35.787143+05:30
Ms. Dixit is unable to stop what is happenning in and around Delhi so her frustration is coming out strongly.She wishes everyone stays at home so that she can also sleep peacefully.........Retire and go take SANYAS at Hardwar
View all Messages [ 56 ]
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