Congress criticizes the government for prioritizing the "Beti Bachao" campaign over ensuring equal rights for daughters

New Delhi, August 29: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the Modi government on Thursday for failing to ensure women's safety. He argued that instead of focusing on 'Beti Bachao,' there should be a greater emphasis on providing equal rights to daughters.

Kharge questioned whether the recommendations from the Justice Verma Committee and the provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act had been fully implemented. In a social media post, he stated, "Any injustice against women is unacceptable, painful, and highly condemnable. We need to ensure 'Equal Rights for our Daughters,' not just 'Beti Bachao.' Women need safety, not just protection. There are 43 crimes against women recorded every hour in the country, with 22 crimes daily affecting the most vulnerable Dalit-tribal women and children. Many crimes go unreported due to fear, intimidation, and social reasons."

Kharge called for substantial reforms to ensure women's safety, including the introduction of a "Gender Sensitisation Curriculum," "Gender Budgeting," and the provision of basic facilities like street lights and public women's restrooms.

He stressed that the Constitution grants women equal status and that addressing crimes against women is a significant challenge requiring collective effort. He advocated for comprehensive measures including Gender Sensitisation Curriculum, Women's Call Centres, and improvements in police and judicial reforms to create a fear-free environment for women.

Kharge criticized the Modi government for not implementing effective measures to ensure women's safety, arguing that social change cannot be achieved merely by symbolic gestures like painting "Beti Bachao" on walls. He noted that despite Prime Minister Modi’s repeated speeches on women's safety, his government has failed to take concrete actions over the past decade. Additionally, he accused the government and administration of attempting to obscure crimes by forcibly performing victims' last rites to prevent the truth from emerging.

The Congress President's comments follow national outrage over the murder and alleged sexual assault of a female trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, which has led to widespread rallies and protests across the country.