Prime Minister Narendra Modi whilst addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the occasion of 76th Independence Day recently was heard advising our countrymen to respect women and appealing to bring a complete change in the mentality towards women.
He was also heard advising everyone to pledge not to do anything that lowers the dignity of women and to change the mentality towards women in their day-to-day life to seriously support Nari Shakti in our country.
Unfortunately, 11 convicted criminals who were serving life imprisonment for Bilkis Bano gang rape and murder of seven of her family members during the infamous 2002 Gujarat riots were shockingly released in Gujarat on Independence Day.
Centre's own guidelines on prisoner release clearly stipulate that those convicted for rape (among other heinous crimes) are not eligible for special remission. Now, how were these norms flouted and the 11 convicted criminals released?
This only shows that the government is not at all serious on upholding the rights of women in our country and is merely fooling the people by simply talking about Nari Shakti/women empowerment.
Politicians and their supporters are usually prompt in taking out rallies and shouting slogans against any wrongdoing to display their fake loyalty towards our country, but in this case no one from the government has come out against the release of the 11 convicts.
Politicians should hang their heads in shame and stop playing dirty politics.
