The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) statistics for 2011 said Bangalore ranks fourth among cities of the country in recorded rape cases. The city accounted for 3.8 per cent of the reported cases in the country. When all crimes against women were considered, Bangalore went up a couple of notches to occupy the second place.
The latest reports of gang rape — on three women, which came within a week of the case involving a law student — is an indicator that the situation is taking a turn for the worse.
“This is like heading back to dark ages,” said a shocked Shakun Mohini of the women’s rights group Vimochana. What is worrying is the insensitive attitude of the investigating agencies and the media when such crimes are committed against women, she said. The motive of the targeted woman is immediately suspected, she added.
“Next, one almost expects something like a khap panchayat to spring up in Bangalore to say that women should stay indoors and behave themselves,” she said. “Are we competing with Haryana or what?”
‘Control crime’
Expressing serious concern over the rise in crime against women in the city and the State, including gang rapes and murders, the Akhila Bharata Janavadi Mahila Sanghatane, Karnataka State Committee, urged the government to immediately act upon these issues.
Sanghatane president Gowramma and general secretary K.S. Lakshmi expressed their displeasure over the sexual assaults on a law student and three waitresses in the city, and the rape and murder of a student in Belthangady recently.
They questioned the silence of the Home Minister and other Ministers on these issues and said a government’s performance was measured by how it tackles crimes against women. They threatened to launch a Statewide agitation if the government continued to be silent over this issue.
