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NEW DELHI: In the wake of nationwide protests by angry doctors over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Thursday, in his Independence Day speech, said he feels the outrage in society over atrocities against women.
As the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government faces the ire of the agitating resident doctors, who have shut down work in various states, demanding justice for the victim, Modi, without directly referring to the brutal rape and murder of the 31-year-old postgraduate student, said, state governments need to take such atrocities seriously.
Addressing the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort on the 78th Independence Day, Modi highlighted his government’s work on women-led development model and said the country is witnessing leadership by women in several fields, including Air Force, Army, Navy and the space sector.
However, he said, “There are some pressing concerns which bring me a lot of trauma; hence, I once again wish to highlight them from the ramparts of the Red Fort.”
“As a society, we should seriously dwell upon the atrocities being meted out to our mothers, sisters and daughters. The outrage is visible in the nation and among the citizens. I can feel this outrage,” he said.
“The states, society and the nation must take serious cognisance of this malefaction. Crimes against women should be investigated without any delay. Those committing such demonic acts must be booked prima facie to reinstate the trust in the government, judiciary and civil society,” Modi said in his 98-minute speech.
“I also want to mention that the rape victims - our mothers and daughters are highlighted all over the media and discussed in society. However, the rapist does not make the news,” he added.
He said that now the need of the hour is that there should be a comprehensive discussion about the criminals who get punished so that even those who commit such sins fear the consequences, including hanging to death. "I feel that it is essential to create this fear,” Modi said.
The Prime Minister also highlighted how children are going abroad for medical education.
“Most of them come from middle-class families, and they spend a huge amount of money. Over the last ten years, we have increased the number of medical seats to nearly one lakh,” he said.
He said approximately 25,000 young people go abroad each year for medical education. “Sometimes, I get surprised to hear about the countries they must visit to pursue medical education. Therefore, we have decided that 75,000 new seats will be created in the medical field in the next five years,” Modi said.