KOLKATA, July 7: Around 2500 people
assembled at the Rani Rashmoni Road, in the heart of Kolkata to protest against
the rape of a young athlete with speech and hearing impairments at Uttar Dinajpur
in West Bengal. The protest was called by the Paschim Banga Rajya Pratibandi
Sammelani, an affiliate of the National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled
(NPRD).
The widespread indignation that this crime and
subsequent reaction of the state administration has evoked is reflected in the
wide spectrum of people who had gathered to condemn the crime in unequivocal
terms.
Joining the large number of persons with
disabilities who had come from different parts of West Bengal were film
personalities and sportspersons. Brushing shoulders with them were
representatives from a host of NGOs, rights activists, academicians and civil
society organisations.
At the outset, a disabled folk-singer from
Bankura rendered songs specially composed for the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Kanti Ganguly,
Convenor of the NPRD and General Secretary of the Sammelani recounted his visit
to the victim’s residence and assured that the organisation will take the
responsibility of rehabilitating the girl. However, he underlined that it is
the responsibility of the state government to rehabilitate the victim. He was
unsparing in his criticism of the role of the government agencies.
Speaker after speaker condemned the increase in
the number of cases of sexual violence reported in West Bengal and sought
action against insensitive officials like the police and the disability
commissioner who instead of initiating action were seen as siding with the
perpetrators. While educationist Subhankar Chakrobarty pledged all help for the
girl, writer Azijul Haque called for broader unity to foil such crimes in the
future.
Ramola Chakroborty, womens rights activist was
scathing in her remarks on the role of state Government. Prof Ishita
Mukhopadhyay, Director, Womens Studies, Calcutta University felt that the
women’s movement itself feels threatened as no laws or court directives are
being implemented in the state anymore.
Distinguished sports personalities Jyotirmoyee
Sikdar and Bula Chowdhury cautioned against the casual manner in which crimes
against disabled athlete were treated.
Commonwealth Games medal winner, Prasant Karmakar, a disabled swimmer,
pointed out that overcoming disability and becoming an achiever in sports is no
mean feat. Eminent lawyer Bharati Mukherjee expressed shock at the total
silence of the State Women’s Commission.
Film maker Anindita Sarbadhikari vehemently
criticised the state administration for being unable to protect women. Film
actor Badshah Moitra underscored the importance of people from diverse fields
coming together to condemn and protest such crimes. Lina Bardhan, Director, Special Olympics and
Pankaj Das, ex-Principal, Loius Braille Memorial School expressed their
solidarity. Also present on the occasion to express her solidarity was Malini
Bhattacharjee, former Chairperson of the state Women’s Commission. Several
speakers drew attention to the fact that in the recent period Bengal has earned
the dubious distinction of topping the list in crimes against women and
lamented that even the suggestions made by National commission for Women have
been totally ignored by the state.
The inaction and insensitivity on the part of
the state administration came in for sharp criticism from all quarters.
The meeting was presided over by Sailen Chowdhury,
President of the Sammelini.
The meeting unanimously resolved to meet the
Governor in a delegation on August 9, with the following demands:
·
Security
measures for all women with disabilities
·
Exemplary
punishment to be given to the accused.
·
Rehabilitation
of the victim girl by the state.
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