BANGALORE: The increasing cases of rape and atrocities against women ignited an emotional debate in the Legislative Council on Wednesday. As members gave one suggestion after another, Home Minister K J George agreed to constitute a committee comprising members of both the Houses, legal experts, women’s activists and social thinkers to suggest measures to curb rapes and atrocities on women.
Comprehensive measures would be taken by the Education, Law and Police Departments based on the report of the proposed committee to ensure greater safety for women.
Initiating the debate, Motamma (Congress) expressed concern at the inhuman acts of fathers committing rape on their daughters and brothers raping their own sisters. She demanded stringent measures to send a strong message to the culprits.
Tara Anuradha (BJP) said extension of nightlife will affect the security of women. “It is against our Indian culture. Foreigners don’t come here to booze and party,” she said.
B J Puttaswamy (BJP) suggested tough measures such as sterilisation, as is being done in the case of stray dogs, to instill a sense of fear among rapists. Jaggesh (BJP) and V S Ugrappa (Congress) blamed the copying of western culture for erosion of social values and sexual assaults. They strongly advocated compulsory moral education classes in high schools.
“Parents play a greater role in instilling good values and thoughts in the minds of youth,” they said.
They also said women’s dress sense and conduct also, to some extent, contribute to crimes. “We should also accept that women dressing in a provocative way is also contributing to the problem. Dignified conduct and a value-based lifestyle would help in curbing the menace,” they suggested.
Opposition Leader K S Eshwarappa suggested the constitution of a House Committee to suggest comprehensive measures to curb atrocities on women.
George accepted the suggestion and assured the House that the committee would be formed after consultation with the chief minister.
10 Women’s Police Stations
Home Minister K J George said 10 women’s police stations would be started this year and another 10 next year. All districts would have women’s police stations, he said.