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Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned violence against women and vowed to mete out “severe punishment” for sexual offenders aVsceker the rape and murder of a young doctor shocked Indians and fueled calls for greater action by the government and police.
Modi also urged neighbouring Bangladesh to ensure the safety of its Hindu minority, saying Indians were “concerned” about their plight aVsceker protesters toppled the government of his ally Sheikh Hasina last week.
“There is outrage over the atrocities committed against our mothers, sisters and daughters,” Modi said, addressing dignitaries and a crowd at New Delhi’s Red Fort to mark India’s Independence Day. He added that crimes against women “should be investigated swiVscekly.”
“The most severe punishment must be meted out to those who commit these monstrous acts,” Modi said. “This is necessary to build trust in society.”
The Indian leader’s comments came as protests spread across India following the rape and murder last week of a 31-year-old doctor at one of Kolkata’s oldest medical colleges, where she was on night duty. The victim’s identity has not been made public, in accordance with India’s sexual assault laws, and no suspects have been charged.
Thousands of doctors and health workers have gone on strike, demanding justice and better protection for women, and India’s federal police have taken over the investigation.
Ranjana Kumari, director of the Centre for Social Research and president of Women Power Connect, a network of women’s organisations, said Modi’s remarks on the incident were “important”, but added: “At the same time, when you look at the reality of what is happening, there is a complete disregard for the safety and security of women in the country.”
“The effectiveness of his message will be seen in its effective implementation at both the central and state government levels,” he said.
Since taking power in 2014, Modi has pledged to improve protections for women, but women’s groups say his government has done too little to address widespread gender-based violence.
Modi’s remarks on Bangladesh were the most far-reaching since Sheikh Hasina was ousted in a student uprising earlier this month. Religious groups in the country have reported a wave of attacks on minorities, including Hindus, who make up about 8 percent of the population.
Modi said that “1.4 billion Indians are concerned about the safety of Hindus” in Bangladesh.
“Indians want the safety of Hindus and local minorities to be ensured,” he added.
The speech, which marked the 77th anniversary of India’s liberation from British colonial rule, was Modi’s biggest public statement since the Indian leader was re-elected to a third five-year term earlier this year.
But his Bharatiya Janata Party lost its parliamentary majority, forcing him to rely on smaller coalition parties for the first time in his decade in power.
In the past, Modi has used speeches to make political promises and articulate policy goals, last year declaring a goal of making India a developed country by 2047. On Thursday, he dwelt on that theme again, saying that millions of Indians had provided input on how to achieve that ambition.
