Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)

Mangaluru, Apr 14: General secretary of All India Mahila Congress Janet D'Souza on Saturday April 14 hit out at the BJP over the Kathua and Unnao rape cases, and said that there was no security and safety for women and children in the country under the present BJP-led government. She also condemned both the incidents and demanded fair investigation and strictest punishment for the culprits.

Addressing a press meet here, Janet D'Souza said, "The Kathua rape and murder and the Unnao rape cases have once again proved that under the BJP rule there is no safety for women and children. The party and its government are sheltering the culprits with all types of help in both legal and administrative matters. Women and children in India are facing threat to their lives and they are begging for justice. But our Prime Minister and even the women who are in the union cabinet are sitting mum on all these issues.

"The Kathua rape and murder case shows how the BJP government is dealing with women issues without any care or concern. The incident happened in January. Till last week the government, police and the local BJP MLA succeeded to hide the incident and save the culprits. But after state and nationwide protests, they were compelled to arrest the killers. In Unnao, Yogi Adityanath-led government fully supported the anti-socials who raped the girl. After nationwide criticism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave his statement on both issues in just one sentence. It shows how much his careless attitude when it comes to women's safety," she said.

Announcing a nationwide protest by Congress, she said, "To show solidarity with all women who have been attacked, raped and murdered under BJP rule, we are observing a nationwide black day on April 17. We are with women without any political motive. The members of Mahila Congress will join all protests and candlelight vigils organised by various NGOs and associations. We demand the death penalty to all culprits who are involved in rape and murder cases."

Shalet Pinto, president, district Mahila Congress informed that on April 16 evening, the district Mahila Congress will organised a candlelight vigil in front of Gandhi Statue near the Mangaluru City Corporation building. "Besides this, we are actively participating in all protests on Kathua and Unnao incidents without any politics involved," she said.

Harish Kumar, president of district Congress, A C Vinayaraj, Appi and Mamatha Gatty were present