New Delhi: The rape and murder of two teenaged sisters in Badaun, a minor raped and killed in Bangalore, rape at gunpoint in Mumbai, an attempt to rape a judge in Aligarh - rising incidents of crime against women have caused outrage not just in India but across the world. A WTTC India Initiative report warns that Indian tourism is facing immense negative publicity due to recurring incidents of crimes against women particularly rape and molestation.
The WTTC India Initiative report says recent cases of violence against women have adversely impacted the country's image internationally. The report recommends that the government must ensure speedy trials and sensitise both state government leaders and the police.
The report also recommends that the Tourism Ministry work on a strategy in consultation with the Home Ministry, External Affairs Ministry and the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to tackle the negative publicity.
Union Tourism Minister Shripad Naik has said that the government will do whatever is required. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi and we in the tourism industry will do whatever is required to make foreign women safer," Naik said.
The United Nations and the United States of America, too, have expressed concerns over rising cases of crime against women in India. A statement by UN Secretary General Ban-Ki-Moon says he is specially appalled by the brutal rape and gruesome murder of two teenaged women in India.
Reacting to an earlier statement of Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, Ban-ki Moon said, "We say no to the dismissive, destructive attitude of 'boys will be boys'.
During the Lok Sabha election campaign Mulayam had said, "Rapists should not be given the death sentence. Sometimes boys make mistakes. My government will try to change the law."
In a media briefing, the US state department has also said that it is horrified to learn of these violent sexual assaults and murders. "Like so many in India, we were horrified to learn of these violent sexual assaults and murders. Our thoughts are with the victims families during this difficult time," State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf said on Monday.
Harf was responding to questions on the brutal gang rape and murder of two teenaged girls last week in Badaun. "As we have said, changing laws and changing attitudes is hard work," she said.
Even though the Samajwadi Party government in Uttar Pradesh has been facing severe criticism over the Badaun gangrape and murder case, it is still on the defensive. Mulayam Singh Yadav hit out at mediapersons saying that they should go to Badaun to check if a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe has been ordered or not.
On Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's remark that rapes happen everywhere but were only highlighted in UP, he said, "There is no insensitivity in us. We are sensitive people."
Ram Gopal Yadav said backed Mulayam's remarks. He said, "The government is taking steps. The government alone can't stop rapes, society will have to come forward. When father rapes a daughter, who can imagine such thing."
The Yadavs came under severe criticism from the local leaders as well. Union Minister Nirmala Sitharama hit out at the SP government saying, "They should ensure safety of the family of the victims who are being tortured. They should at least begin with action against criminals to assure us."
Lok Janshakti Party leader Chirag Paswan called the SP's attitude and response disappointing. He said, "As a young Parliamentarian, I'm disappointed by the way young chief minister is handling law and order."
On Tuesday, Akhilesh Yadav accused the media of highlighting rape cases only in Uttar Pradesh and ignoring those happening in other states. Akhilesh said, "These incidents are not happening only in Uttar Pradesh. If you go online, you will find that such cases are reported elsewhere too. Did the national media highlight those incidents?"
He claimed that his government has taken actions against this or any other incidents. "Badaun or any other incidents in the state, the government has taken stern action on them. In Badaun whatever steps the government could take, it took. Decision on a CBI inquiry has also been taken. Wherever incident took place in the state, action has been taken," Akhilesh said.
"I have said this several times that incidents of the state are publicised more. Such incidents do not happen in UP alone," he added.
Akhilesh said, "An incident happened in Bangalore, was it shown on national channels? Incidents are taking place in Madhya Pradesh. I have got information that chain of a member of a big minister was snatched near her home. Rajasthan is before you. Only Uttar Pradesh is visible and this is more visible to cunning people."
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