Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said sons have to be made more responsible for a safe environment for daughters and asserted that the promulgation of an ordinance on rape showed that the Centre had acted on people’s outrage on sexual crimes against minors.
Days after the government approved the ordinance allowing courts to award the death penalty to those convicted of raping girls below the age of 12 years, Mr. Modi also called for a social movement to ensure the safety of girls.
“Shivraj ji [Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan] just referred to the capital punishment provided in the ordinance for rape against minors and I could see that it [the remark] received cheers from everyone present here,” Mr. Modi said while addressing the National Panchayati Raj Sammelan at Ramnagar here.
“There is a government in Delhi which listens to your voice and takes decisions. So, the Centre has made a provision for capital punishment to the monstrous intent,” he said.
“Families will have to enhance the honour and respect of daughters. Families should also make their sons more responsible. In this way, the safety of daughters would not be a difficult task,” Mr. Modi said.
He also mentioned measures taken by the government for the welfare of tribals and farmers and asked the elected representatives of panchayats to ensure that these steps were implemented.
