DELHI: 05 June 2014

The Social Democratic Party of India, (SDPI) has expressed deep anguish and dismay over the rising graph of rapes coupled with murder in the country with special reference to the recent gruesome incident of Badaun in Uttar Pradesh. Referring to the alleged attempt to rape a female judge in Aligarh, the party said even a judge is not safe in her home.

SDPI National General Secretary Afsar Pasha in a statement demanded action against sexual violence and appealed to the society to reject the destructive attitude of ‘boys will be boys’ as enunciated by Samajwadi supremo Mulayam Singh last month during a Lok Sabha election rally.

Pasha stressed that violence against women is a peace and security issue. It is a human rights issue. It is a development issue. The Uttar Pradesh government must act promptly to improve law and order situation in the state.

He pointed out that Mulayam had said in one of his election campaign speeches: “Ladke, ladke hain, galti ho jati hai” (Boys are boys, mistakes happen). That doesn’t mean that you award them capital punishment,” referring to death penalties given in some rape cases.

Pasha recalled that a top brass of RSS had said two years ago that these heinous crimes against women happen only in “India and not in Bharat”? These RSS, VHP and their ilk also justify horrendous and exploitative caste system which is why women and children of Dalits face the brunt of the violence everywhere in Bharat.

The statement stated that Narendra Modi had promised to protect women before the election and as such should intervene in such matters. This heinous crime is not confined to UP alone. It affects every woman and child in India.