Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has taken a veiled swipe at the Mamata Banerjee-led Bengal government concerning the recent rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor in Kolkata. Addressing an event in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday, Rajnath Singh highlighted the Centre’s stringent stance on crimes against women, contrasting it with what he described as the lack of sincere efforts by “many states” in addressing such issues.
The minister’s remarks came against the backdrop of the horrific case involving the trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital, which he condemned as “heart-wrenching” and “disgraceful.” Although Rajnath Singh did not directly name the Bengal government, his comments seemed to underscore growing criticism of its handling of the case and allegations of a potential cover-up.
Rajnath Singh emphasized the Narendra Modi government’s commitment to enhancing women’s safety, noting legislative changes such as the provision for the death penalty in cases of rape resulting in the victim’s death or a vegetative state. This provision is part of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which replaced the colonial-era Indian Penal Code earlier this year.
The Defence Minister also praised the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ campaign for its role in improving gender ratios in states like Haryana and celebrated the abolition of triple talaq as a significant advancement for Muslim women. He expressed pride in the increased participation of women in the armed forces, citing his tenure as Union Home Minister from 2014 to 2019, during which he had advised states to reserve one-third of security force vacancies for women. Rajnath Singh noted that these measures have led to a greater representation of women in police and paramilitary forces.
Furthermore, Rajnath Singh spoke of the removal of barriers for women entering the armed forces, including admission to Sainik Schools and increased roles in all three branches of the military. He concluded by reaffirming the government’s dedication to advancing women’s rights and opportunities, while urging continued efforts to address the challenges women face across the country.
