In a shocking and highly controversial move, a prominent politician from Maharashtra has requested Indian President Draupadi Murmu to grant women in the country immunity to commit one murder. The request comes in response to the increasing number of crimes and atrocities committed against women in India, including rape, domestic violence, and abductions. The demand has sparked heated debates across the nation, with many questioning the validity and implications of such a suggestion.
Rohini Khadse Khewalkar, the current president of the women’s wing of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), made this unprecedented appeal in a letter to President Murmu on the occasion of International Women’s Day. In her letter, Khadse highlighted the alarming rise in violent crimes against women, and the apparent failure of the legal and law enforcement systems to protect them.
The Content of the Letter
Khadse’s letter states that the safety of women in India has deteriorated to an intolerable level, citing recent horrific incidents such as the gang-rape of a 12-year-old girl in Mumbai. She referenced a recent World Population Review survey, which named India as the most unsafe country for women in Asia. With increasing reports of kidnappings, disappearances, domestic violence, and other forms of abuse, Khadse argued that the legal system and law enforcement have failed to safeguard women.
In what has been interpreted by many as a symbolic and bold statement, Khadse demanded that women be granted immunity to commit one murder. She clarified that this would not be aimed at harming innocent individuals but would be a symbolic act aimed at addressing the deep-rooted issues plaguing Indian society.
“We want to kill the oppressive mentality, the rapist tendency, and the inactive law and order,” Khadse wrote. She compared the situation to historical figures like Maharani Tara Rani and Punyashlok Ahilya Devi Holkar, who had fought for justice and societal reform in times of crisis, urging that modern-day women should be able to take similar stands to improve society.
Khadse ended the letter with a plea for the President to consider her demand and treat it as a special gift to women on International Women’s Day.
Who Is Rohini Khadse?
Rohini Khadse, a law graduate from Pune University, is no political novice. She comes from a well-known political family, being the daughter of former BJP leader and Maharashtra minister Eknath Khadse. Eknath Khadse was once a strong contender for the position of Maharashtra Chief Minister but was sidelined after corruption allegations, which eventually led to the rise of Devendra Fadnavis as Chief Minister.
Rohini Khadse herself contested the 2019 Maharashtra Legislative Assembly elections from the Muktainagar constituency on a BJP ticket but lost to Shiv Sena’s Chandrakant Patil. Despite her father’s controversies, Khadse has remained active in politics and public life. She also served as the President of the Jalgaon District Cooperative Bank.
The Controversial Appeal
Khadse’s request has stirred intense debate across various social and political circles. Many are questioning the ethics and legality of the proposal. Critics argue that such a suggestion undermines the rule of law and might set a dangerous precedent. However, others support the sentiment, arguing that it highlights the desperate need for systemic change to address the widespread violence and abuse against women.
Supporters of Khadse’s demand believe that her radical call reflects the anger and frustration felt by many women who feel unsafe in their own country. The lack of proper justice, especially in cases of sexual violence, has led many to feel that the system is broken and that extraordinary measures may be needed to achieve meaningful reform.
A Call for Action
Khadse’s letter raises important questions about the state of women’s safety in India and the effectiveness of the justice system. While her call for immunity to commit murder may be seen as extreme, it underscores the urgent need for reform in the way women are treated, protected, and supported by both the government and society.
Her letter is a stark reminder of the continuing challenges that women face in India, where incidents of violence and harassment are reported daily, and the fight for justice often seems prolonged and ineffective.
Whether the President will respond to this unusual plea remains to be seen, but the controversy is far from over. What is clear is that the issue of women’s safety in India is one that needs immediate and comprehensive attention. As we mark International Women’s Day, it is a call for action, for reforms that go beyond symbolic gestures and deliver real, lasting change for women across the nation.
- Source: GULF NEWS
