THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government in a ‘move of repentance’ has reinducted noted anti- trafficking activist Sunitha Krishnan back to its Nirbhaya scheme which was launched for rehabilitating rape survivors.
Sunitha had resigned from the advisor post of the scheme in August last year following disagreements with the government, mainly with Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala.
“The government has now agreed that the points I raised in the implementation of the Nirbhaya scheme will be addressed.
“I have now been appointed in an implementing role now. It is the post of honorary director. So I will be able to carry out the policy with my vision,’’ Sunitha, who is also the founder of Hyderabad-based Prawjala Foundation for rehabilitating rape survivors, said. But she declined to reveal who initiated the talks on the part of the government to bring her back.“I have limitations to disclose that,’’ she said.
The order to appoint Sunitha as honorary director was issued in the beginning of this month and she is expected to take charge next week.
Sunitha’s main demand, while holding the advisor post, was to merge the Nirbhaya schemes of both the Home and Social Justice departments which was not acceptable to Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala.
Sunitha’s apprehension was that the Home Department will be able to do the policing side only and the rehabilitation part could be done by the Social Justice Department. But Chennithala took the stand that though the scheme of both the departments could be coordinated, they can’t be merged.
This resulted in Sunitha’s resignation who cited ‘’lack of political will to implement the Nirbhaya policy’’ and the confusion caused by the existence of a scheme with the same name and purpose by another government department.
The Nirbhaya scheme of the Social Justice Department for ensuring the safety of women and to rehabilitate rape survivors came into effect in 2012 whereas that of the Home Department was launched in February last year.