New Delhi: On July 24, four men, one of them a government employee (a driver with the agriculture department), posed as policemen raped two minor girls after beating up the boys who were with the girls on Benaulim beach, around 30 km south of Goa's capital. The four accused were arrested in South Goa after a case of gang rape and extortion was registered against them. But Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant faced severe flak from the Opposition over his comments on the incident. Sawant remarked in the state Assembly that parents need to introspect on why their children were on the beach late at night.
“When 14-year-olds stay on the beach the whole night, then parents need to introspect. Just because children don’t listen, we cannot put the responsibility on the government and police,” Sawant said. Reacting to Goa CM's comment, Nirbhaya's mother Asha Devi said that such statements reflect negligence and portray that the administration is ignoring crime against women.
Read:| Goa CM faces flak for asking parents of rape victims why were their daughters out so late
"Pramod Sawant is sitting in the chair of Goa Chief Minister. The security of the entire state is in his hands. His statements prove that he is trying to get rid of the issue. Instead of making such comments, which encourages criminals and boosts the morale of the perpetrators, the state government should focus on strengthening the police and judiciary system," Asha Devi in an exclusive interaction with ETV Bharat.
She went to add, "Whenever such a crime happens, the administration often blames it on parents. This attitude should change. The thinking of public representatives, leaders and society needs a change. Our behaviour towards women should be better so that they can remain safe."
Read:| Goa gang rape case: Statement taken out of context, says CM
Speaking about the security arrangements at a tourist attraction spot, Asha Devi said that it is the state administrations responsibility to ensure the safety of people at tourist attraction sites like those of Goa. "Instead of blaming parents and women and the attire they are carrying, the government should make strict security measures at places which attracts a huge crowd as parents do not encourage children to commit wrong acts," she said.
On the several laws that were introduced for women safety, Asha Devi said that she does not find any changes in the system. "The laws which were introduced for women safety have not been implemented yet. The laws must be practised on ground reality," Asha Devi said.
"Instead of taking responsibility for laxity in administration after a crime happens, the leaders start playing blame games. Fixing the government system is the need of the hour. Government should ensure that no crime must take place and if it is committed then punishment should be given at the earliest. Justice is delayed in most cases. Fast track courts should ensure fast track justice."
Read:| Govt employee accused in gang rape case suspended from service: Goa CM
