Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan holds flash dharna, demands stringent action against sexual assaulters

Addressing members of women's wing of his Jana Sena party, students and youth at the party office here, he said the incident shows that man was behaving worse than an animal.

Pawan Kalyan staged a dharna today seeking justice for the Kathua rape-murder victim (Express Photo | Vinay Madapu)

HYDERABAD: In the backdrop of condemnation from various quarters against the recent rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua District of Jammu and Kashmir, Jana Sena chief and Telugu film star Pawan Kalyan on Saturday staged a flash dharna at Indira Gandhi statue on Necklace road in protest against the Central government’s “inaction” over growing atrocities against women in the country.

Soon after the protest, while addressing media, the actor-turned-politico advocated punishing sexual assaulters in public view like it is done in Singapore and some other countries.

“Punishing those who sexually harass women and girls in the open will create fear among eve-teasers. Using violent methods is the only solution to deter attacks on women. We need to adopt stringent measures to protect our women,” he said.

During his maiden protest on the streets in Hyderabad on people’s issues, the Jana Sena chief alleged that the Narendra Modi government at the Centre was not taking any action against the persons who are guilty of committing crime against women in the country.

He said the recent rape and murder of an eight year old girl in Kathua was an example for this. Interestingly, Pawan remained silent on the Unnao incident, wherein a 17-year-old girl was allegedly raped by BJP MLA Kuldeep Sengar.

Fight against sexual harassment: Pavan to Sri Reddy

Reacting to Sri Reddy’s incident, Pawan Kalyan asked the budding actress to register a police complaint against those who had sexually harassed her in the film industry, instead of resorting to sensationalism. While stating that attacks on women are increasing in the country with each passing day, Pawan said film shootings were not any exception from this.