"Why're all restrictions imposed only on girls": Kejriwal demands safety measures for Delhi women students
Arvind Kejriwal slams the Delhi government over women's safety, demanding CCTV surveillance and streetlights instead of imposing restrictions on female students.
AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal has launched a scathing attack on the Delhi government regarding the deteriorating safety of women in the national capital. Following the alleged gangrape of a 17-year-old girl at Aastha Kunj Park, Kejriwal questioned why the solution being offered is to restrict the movement of female students rather than addressing the root cause of the violence.
In a video message, the AAP leader expressed deep concern over the growing agitation among female students in Delhi. He argued that the government's response—suggesting that women avoid going out in the evenings or at night—is akin to "pouring salt on their wounds."
Stop lecturing women, provide security instead
Kejriwal criticized the tendency of authorities to impose curfews and lifestyle restrictions on women instead of fixing the urban infrastructure. He emphasized that women are free citizens with fundamental rights to freedom and movement.
"Why are all the restrictions imposed only on girls?" Kejriwal asked. He further targeted the ruling administration, stating that instead of lecturing women on when to leave their homes, the government must fulfill its duty to provide a safe environment. "The government is incompetent and failed in doing its job, so will you put restrictions on women?" he remarked.
A blueprint for urban safety
To ensure the safety of women, the AAP chief proposed a multi-pronged approach focused on technology and physical presence:
- Real-time CCTV Network: He called for a comprehensive network of CCTV cameras across Delhi, connected to a central command structure for real-time monitoring.
- Functional Streetlights: Kejriwal highlighted the need to illuminate dark spots across the city to prevent crimes. He claimed that during his government's tenure, 2.80 lakh streetlights were installed, but many are currently non-functional.
- Police Presence in Colleges: He demanded the deployment of at least two security officers, specifically including women police personnel, inside every college campus.
Kejriwal also made serious allegations regarding the political protection of criminals, suggesting that perpetrators of harassment and rape often find refuge within political parties, which undermines the administration's ability to act decisively.
Rising student protests in the capital
The political outcry follows a wave of intense demonstrations by students across Delhi's premier institutions. Following the incident at Aastha Kunj Park, students from Delhi University and affiliated colleges, including Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Miranda House, Gargi College, and Dr BR Ambedkar University, have taken to the streets.
The protests have been consistent, with major marches occurring on September 23, September 25, and most recently on Monday at the Faculty of Arts. These demonstrations, involving hundreds of women and queer participants, demand safer public spaces and more rigorous action against sexual harassment.
The atmosphere of fear was further heightened by a recent report from Mukherjee Nagar, where two Delhi University students alleged they were followed and sexually harassed by men in an SUV near Hakikat Park. The Delhi Police have registered an FIR in that matter after the victims attempted to record the incident.