Rajasthan Minister Rajendra Singh Gudha on Friday (July 21) drew attention to the pressing issue of rising crime against women within the state during a session in the state Assembly. Gudha expressed concern about the escalating cases and emphasised the importance of addressing the alarming situation within Rajasthan before turning attention to other regions. The minister's remarks come in the midst of ongoing discussions on a variety of issues, including the situation in Manipur.
"It is true and should be accepted that we have failed in women's safety," Rajasthan Minister said. "Instead of focusing on Manipur, we should examine why atrocities against women have increased in Rajasthan," he said.
The development comes days after a one-on-one meeting with MLAs at the Congress office on Hospital Road which concluded on Thursday (April 20), after the programme, Minister Rajendra Singh Gudha was seen leaving the office with Cabinet Minister Bijendra Singh Ola, who was standing by the gate with him, ABP News reported. When asked for a statement, Gudha motioned to Ola, implying that he should be approached for comments, according to the report. Gudha walked straight through the gate and into his house, leaving many to speculate about the implications of his actions.
Earlier in the day, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat expressed grave concern about the deteriorating law and order situation in Rajasthan, particularly regarding women's safety. He claimed that women face grave dangers in the state, while the government appears to be more concerned with self-praise. The situation in Rajasthan, according to the Union Minister, has reached a critical point, and the state government appears unconcerned, despite BJP protests.
Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje also stated that the majority of crimes against women occurred in Rajasthan, which alone accounted for more than 10 lakh incidents over the course of 54 months.
"A Dalit woman was gang-raped, and police officers are suspected of being involved. She was speech and hearing-impaired. What will happen to the state if the 'rakshak' is changed to a 'bhakshak'?" Raje cited a crime in the village of Karauli in the state.
The discovery of the body of a 19-year-old girl in a well after she was raped and murdered sparked outrage in the State Assembly. Meanwhile, ANI reported that on July 19, Jodhpur Police recovered four charred bodies from a hut in Cherai village, Ramnagar gram panchayat, Jodhpur.