RS members raise issue of Kerala rapes, demand ‘exemplary punishment’

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, May 04, 2016: With several members in Rajya Sabha demanding “exemplary punishment” for the culprits of rape and murder of a Dalit woman in Kerala, social justice minister Thawar Chand Gehlot said on Wednesday he will visit the village of the rape victim on Thursday.

During the zero hour, CP Narayanan of CPI(M) raised the issue of the rape and murder in Ernakulam district of Kerala on April 28, terming it as a “dastardly attack” similar to the December 16 Delhi gang rape case.

Referring to the rape incidents in Kasargod and Thiruvananthapuram, Narayanan said, “It is a black mark. Police is not very active in apprehending the culprits.”

Deputy chairman PJ Kurien said: “It is a very, very heinous crime. Most shameful for every Keralite.”

Several members associated themselves with the issue and demanded strict action against the culprits, with Tarun Vijay of BJP demandiing that a team should visit the state.

Responding the anguish expressed by members, Gehlot told them that he would visit the state on Thursday and meet the victim’s family.

“I will go to Kerala tomorrow and meet the family of the girl. I will help them get justice,” he added.


Vijay, who had raised the issue as soon as the House met, said it was a repetition of the Nirbhaya case and the Kerala government had “completely failed” to control such incidents.

“God’s own country” should not turn into a rapist country, he added.

D Raja (CPI) drew the government’s attention towards the atrocities committed against Dalits across the country, adding that legislations have proved to be of no help.

SC Mishra of BSP said that atrocities were happening across India.

“The House is concerned. Stringent action should be taken and exemplary punishment given. Do everything possible so that such incidents do not happen,” Kurien said.

Parliamentary affairs ministers, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, said the incident of rape and murder had crossed all limits and was inhuman.