Speaking to students of Delhi University’s Bharati College on Friday, the Vice President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, reiterated President Draupadi Murmu’s call of ‘enough is enough’ following the rape and murder of a woman in Kolkata.
Speaking on the incidents of crime against women, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday remarked that the only way forward is to adopt a holistic zero-tolerance policy for such criminal activities, adding that justice to women has the potential of being delivered through the full adoption of the Uniform Civil Code.
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Societal actions after the Kolkata Case
After the horrifying rape and murder case at RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata, nationwide protests have been organised. Since the occurence of the crime, people have been marching and protesting on the streets all over India demanding justice for the victim and also the resignation of West Bengal CM Mamta Banerjee. Ironically, Mamta Banerjee herself being the Chief Minister, Home Minister and Health Minister of West Bengal went on for protests on the streets, a move which has been criticized by many.
Bharati College, University of Delhi, also organized a protest on 28th August in Janakpuri and nearby areas of Delhi to demand justice for the victim and strict punishment for the perpetrator. In the protest organized by the college’s Women Development Cell, students raised slogans including ‘A skirt is not an invitation’, and ‘Justice delayed is justice denied’ advocating for better law enforcement for protection of women and even harsher punishment for such heinous crimes.
Dhankhar’s address to the students
Speaking to students at Delhi University’s Bharati College, the Vice Prseident of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar said responding to President Droupadi Murmu’s recent statement that it was time ‘enough is enough’ when it comes to violence against women referring to the recent rape and murder case of in Kolkata.
“Whenever you make a girl or woman a victim, you are hurting our civilisation, sublimity; you are being a monster, you are exemplifying barbarism to the extreme, draconian levels… Nothing should come in the way,” he averred and urged everyone in the country to take seriously this wise and timely warning from the President of India.
The vice president who was also the Governor of West Bengal during his tenure from July 30, 2019 to July 17, 2022 was delivering a speech at a programme which was held at Bharti College of Delhi University on the theme “The Role of Women in Viksit Bharat”. The period of his Governorship has been full of strained relations with Trinamool Congress that rules the state at present.
Speaking about the gang rape that happened to a young girl in Delhi in 2012, he further noted that the continuous incidences require a stringent narrative to be established to ensure that the perpetrators are apprehended and a fright instilled in their hearts. Dhankhar also lashed at the people who seek to downplay the rape incident by trying to normalize the act stating that thinking process makes him sick.
In his speech in the women’s college, the VP said that the UCC was in the Directive Principles of State Policy.
“The Uniform Civil Code is a constitutional ordinance. It is in the directive principles. The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that it is being delayed but the UCC, which has been on the shelf for too long, is a small measure of justice for your segment. Look around and see what it means. It will help in many ways, but mainly help your gender. My earnest appeal: must always keep the nation above everything else – self interest or political interest”, he said.
He also directed, “Girls/Women are the most important stakeholders in the development of the Nation. They form the foundation and pillar support for the rural economy, the agro-economy and the informal economy.”
In his remarks, Dhankhar also criticised “Anti-India sentiments” as the biggest impediment to the progress of the nation. He encouraged students to maintain the unity of the nation regardless of political or ideological affiliations.
