DCW chief writes to Modi demanding death penalty for rapists
On Tuesday, Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal said the police stopped her from sitting on an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar. The DCW chief had announced her hunger strike on Monday, in protest of sexual crimes towards women. Maliwal has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding death penalty for the accused in the Hyderabad veterinarian's rape and murder. Here's more.
Police has orders to stop our hunger strike: Maliwal
Maliwal had planned to sit on an indefinite hunger strike at 10 am on Tuesday. However, she claimed the police didn't allow her to do so. "The police are saying they have orders from the above to not let us sit on hunger strike. I'm not a criminal, it is unfortunate that Delhi police is not cooperating," she told ANI.
'Can a woman not even protest in this country?'
Maliwal tweeted on Tuesday morning, "The Jantar Mantar area was barricaded the whole night and the police barred us from installing tents, microphones and toilets. They have explicitly told us they wouldn't let us sit on a hunger strike." She added, "Can a woman not even protest in peace in this country? What is the Centre afraid of? Is this really a democracy?"
Delhi Police says it awaits DCW's response on protest's details
Maliwal said, "No matter the police and the Centre's attempts, my hunger strike will continue." However, the Delhi Police has sought details of the protest from the DCW, PTI reported. The police awaits DCW's response to the letter seeking details on the mode of transport, microphone arrangements, number of protesters, and a copy of the undertaking to be filled as per Supreme Court guidelines.
Maliwal asks Modi for stricter rape laws; seeks death penalty
In a letter to Modi, Maliwal sought an immediate death sentence to the accused in the Hyderabad case. She has stressed on implementing a law to demanding death sentence to rapists within six months of their conviction. She has demanded the Ministry of Home Affairs for 66,000 more police personnel for the Delhi Police force and pushed for increased accountability of the police.
Maliwal reminded Modi of her 10-day hunger strike last year
Maliwal also recalled her 10-day-long hunger strike last year, following which, the Parliament approved a stringent death penalty for child rape convicts. She had then sat on a hunger strike amid a massive outcry over the Kathua case, where an 8-year-old was raped and murdered.
Maliwal also demands more fast-track courts, utilization of Nirbhaya Fund
Maliwal also demanded at least 45 fast-track courts in Delhi and urged the government to direct the Nirbhaya Fund towards boosting women's safety. Addressing Modi in the letter, she wrote, "I assure you, as long as my demands are not met, I will not end the hunger strike. I hope you wouldn't ignore the cries of your daughters for long."
You can read Maliwal's complete letter here
Woman protesting against Hyderabad incident detained by Delhi Police
Meanwhile, on Saturday, a sole woman protestor was detained by the Delhi Police for protesting outside the Parliament. The protestor, Anu Dubey, claimed she was only released after signing an undertaking that she wouldn't continue protests at the Parliament. Meanwhile, in the Parliament, Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan called for the accused in the Hyderabad case to be lynched in public.
