Death for child-rapists: DCW chief Swati Maliwal ends 9-day fast
What's the story
Swati Maliwal, chairperson of Delhi Commission for Women, ended her 9-day fast at Rajghat, New Delhi on Sunday after President Ram Nath Kovind approved death penalty for those convicted of raping children below 12 years.
Calling it a "historic win", she said, "I was fighting alone but then I was supported by people across the country. I congratulate everyone on this victory."
Here's more.
Twitter Post
Maliwal congratulates all Indians on unprecedented victory
I congratulate people of this country for this victory. Very few protests have achieved so much in such less time. But until something concrete happens, I will not give up. Until a system is there which ensures safety for the last girl, I won't give up.
— Swati Maliwal (@SwatiJaiHind) April 21, 2018
Context
Maliwal made six demands in a letter to PM Modi
Maliwal went on an indefinite hunger strike after the ghastly Kathua gangrape-and-murder case sparked a nationwide outcry and appeals for stricter punishments for rapists.
In a letter to PM Modi, she listed six demands, including death penalty for child-rape convicts and hiring more policemen.
Despite failing health, she decided to end her fast only after the Modi cabinet approved the ordinance on Saturday.
Twitter Post
'The fast is ending, not the struggle for women safety'
DCW अध्यक्ष @SwatiJaiHind ने अनशन तोड़ने का ऐलान किया,
— AAP Express 🇮🇳 (@AAPExpress) April 21, 2018
कल दोपहर 2:00 बजे अनशन तोड़ेंगी
स्वाति मालीवाल - अनशन ख़त्म होगा , लेकिन महिला सुरक्षा के लिए संघर्ष जारी ! pic.twitter.com/cPma9J0b8b
Profile
Who is Swati Maliwal?
The youngest person to ever head the Delhi Commission for Women, Maliwal chose a life in activism over a secure corporate job. The 33-year-old reportedly had an offer from HCL.
An army kid, she was one of the youngest members of India Against Corruption's core committee, the group which eventually grew into the Aam Aadmi Party.
Maliwal speaks
'It is just the beginning'
Maliwal says despite flooding PM Modi's office with over 5 lakh grievance letters received by DCW, the government took no action, forcing her to go on a hunger strike.
She is happy about the passage of the ordinance but says it's just the beginning. "If the government doesn't implement the law within three months as promised, I will again start my protest," she said.
The ordinance
President signs ordinance to allow death penalty for child rapists
Amid mounting pressure to curb the shocking rise of sexual violence against girls, the Cabinet on Saturday approved the ordinance recommending death penalty for rapists of children below 12.
President Ram Nath Kovind signed the amendment to the POCSO Act today.
It also amends the Indian Penal Code, the Evidence Act and the Code of Criminal Procedure, bringing in stricter laws for all rapes.