Defence Minister Criticizes States for Lax Efforts on Women's Safety, Highlights Modi Era Changes

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh criticized many states, including West Bengal, for inadequate efforts in addressing women's safety. Speaking in Thiruvananthapuram, Singh highlighted the Modi government's stringent laws and economic achievements. He emphasized the need for swift implementation of capital punishment for heinous crimes like rape.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday targeted West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over women's safety, asserting that many states are not making sincere efforts to combat crimes against women. Speaking at an event in Thiruvananthapuram, Singh emphasized the continuing atrocities and crimes against women across the country, suggesting much work remains to be done despite various changes.

Singh noted that the Modi government has enacted strict laws to address these crimes. He labelled the recent incident in Kolkata tragic and disgraceful, calling for strict implementation of the law providing capital punishment for heinous offenses like rape. "This law should be implemented with the utmost severity," he asserted.

The Defence Minister lauded the Modi administration's transformative impact, especially on the economy. He celebrated the past decade as an era of significant change, where India transitioned from being part of the 'Fragile Five' to the 'Fabulous Five,' gaining recognition as one of the fastest-growing large economies globally.

Today's conclave, themed 'Change Makers,' was an apt context for Singh's remarks about the positive changes in India. He highlighted the increasing role of women in the armed forces and praised the broader social shift towards gender equality. Singh stressed that post-independence, women were often excluded from contributing to national development, but this is rapidly changing now.

On a somber note, Singh addressed the recent tragic death of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has intensified its probe, conducting multiple polygraph tests on suspects, including the arrested accused Sanjay Roy and former college principal Sandip Ghosh. The crime has led to significant legal and administrative actions, including the Supreme Court's order to hand over the hospital's security to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and the Indian Medical Association's (IMA) suspension of Ghosh's membership.

(With inputs from agencies.)