As the rape and murder of a dalit woman in Kerala resonated in both the Houses of Parliament, minister for parliamentary affairs M.
As the rape and murder of a dalit woman in Kerala resonated in both the Houses of Parliament, minister for parliamentary affairs M. Venkaiah Naidu said in Lok Sabha on Wednesday that the incident needs to be squarely condemned and not politicised. He assured the members that their feelings would be conveyed to home minister Rajnath Singh and he would also urge him to find out from the Kerala government the factual situation in the matter.
Meanwhile, in Rajya Sabha, as several members demanded an “exemplary punishment” for the culprits involved in the incident, Social justice minister Thaavar Chand Gehlot said that he will visit the village of the rape victim on May 5.
During the Zero Hour in the Upper House, Mr C.P. Narayanan of CPI(M) raised the issue of the rape and murder in Ernakulam district of Kerala on April 28, terming it as a “dastardly attack” similar to that of the Nirbhaya incident in Delhi.
He drew the House’s attention that similar rape incidents occurred in Kasargod last week and in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday, adding “It is a black mark. Police is not very active in apprehending the culprits.”
Deputy chairman P.J. Kurien said: “It is a very, very heinous crime. Most shameful for every Keralite.”
Several members associated themselves with the issue and demanded strict action against the culprits, with Mr Tarun Vijay of BJP demanding that a team should visit the state.
Responding to the anguish expressed by members, Mr Gehlot told them that he would visit the state on Thursday and meet the victim’s family.
“I will go to Kerala on May 5 and meet the family of the girl. I will help them in getting justice,” he added.
Mr Vijay, who had raised the issue as soon as the House met, said it was a repeat of the Nirbhaya case and the Kerala government has “completely failed” to control such incidences. “God’s own country” should not turn into a rapist country, he added.
“The House is concerned. Stringent action should be taken and exemplary punishment given. Do everything possible so that such incidents do not happen,” Mr Kurien said.
Parliamentary affairs ministers Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the incident of rape and murder had crossed all limits and was inhuman.
In Lok Sabha, the matter was raised by nominated member Richard Hay, who while describing the brutalities committed on the victim by her attackers, blamed the Kerala government of complete inaction, claiming that no arrests had been made so far.
“It is apparent that the government of Kerala is neglecting this case. The government is shirking its basic duty — to protect the lives of the citizens. It is shocking to note that atrocities against dalits are on the increase in Kerala... No one is able to live safely in Kerala. What a sorry state of affairs!” said Mr Hay.
He said that rather than being “God’s Own Country”, the state had become “Devil’s Own Country”.
“I strongly urge upon the government of India to intervene and look into this heinous and barbaric crime that occurred in Kerala,” the member added.
