When Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, in the Legislative Assembly on Monday, termed the rape incidents in the State as a “shame”, he just stopped short of pinning the blame on his own government and the Home Minister. But, if it amounted to the reflection of the concern of the Chief Minister, it is imminent that his government has indeed come under the scanner.
The sexual assault on the six-year-old at a private school in Bangalore and the incident involving a postgraduate student in the city — apart from others — have hurt the psyche of the people, shaken the morale of society, and dented the image of the city.
Questions are being raised over the efficiency of the police in containing crimes against women and young girls.
The incidents of rape, police misdemeanours and the sudden spurt in violence against women, have piled pressure on the government. Or, is it a decay setting into societal values? The hue and cry over the lack of safety for young girls and women in the State has perturbed Home Minister K.J. George. If any Minister has come under close scrutiny by the people in the Siddaramaiah government so far, it is Mr. George.
The cry is loud and clear. Opposition parties, organisations, people, are demanding Mr. George’s resignation. Is Mr. George being cornered for the lapses or are there vested interests working against him? These thoughts may flash across one’s mind. Who should be held responsible if the Chief Minister of the State himself says the rapes are a shame and “we have to hang our heads in shame”.
The heat generated in the melee also resulted in the transfer of the City Police Commissioner Raghavendra H. Auradkar.
Rape incidents apart, the episodes involving the Additional Director General of Police Ravindranath, the fracas involving Congress MLA Vijayananda Kashappanavar and the controversy over the appointment of former Additional Director-General of Police Kempaiah (which is currently shelved) as Chief Minister’s security adviser are true pointers that things, both for the government and Mr. George, have gone awry. Protests demanding the resignation of Mr. George are being organised in many parts of the State. On the other hand, the government says all efforts are being made to ensure safety and security of women and children here.
Leader of the Opposition Jagadish Shettar has flayed the police for its slackness. Mr. George announced on the Floor of the House on Monday that all-woman police stations would be set up in all districts. But, are they enough to put an end to the atrocities against women?
