Expressing deep anguish over the Delhi gangrape incident, President Pranab Mukherjee today said "negative perceptions" about women which lead to criminal attacks must end and the women should be provided a safe and congenial environment to contribute to the nation.
Addressing students at the 9th convocation of Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology in Allahabad, Mukherjee cautioned that though anger over the "ghastly incident" was "justified", violence was "no solution". Mukherjee also expressed grief over the death of a Delhi Police constable who succumbed to injuries sustained during violent protests at India Gate on Sunday.
He said the government is alert to the situation and is taking necessary action to ensure that such unfortunate incidents are not repeated.
"I pray for the speedy recovery of the brave young girl. Criminal attacks against women often happen in the backdrop of negative perceptions about women harboured and propagated by certain elements in the society. This must end," he said.
Expressing his "deep anguish" over the incident, Mukherjee, who later addressed a special convocation at the Banaras Hindu University, said "my heart goes out to the young girl and her family, who have demonstrated extraordinary courage amidst the worst adversity and traumatised moment.
"....The nation has been witness to the anger and rage of our youth, who have gathered in the streets of Delhi and other cities to demand stronger measures to ensure safety of women and more stringent laws to provide deterrent penalty to criminals, who endanger our women.
"I am certain that the government will take all necessary steps to ensure that such incidents do not occur in future. The PM has assured that all possible efforts to ensure security and safety of our mothers, sisters and daughters will be made," teh President said
To the protesters, he said, "Your anger is justified. I understand the agony of young mind, but please remember nothing is achieved through violence.
"We as a society must work toward changing negative perceptions about women. Women must be treated with respect and should be provided a safe secured and congenial environment in which their talent can flower and they can contribute their full share in the building of our nation."
The special convocation was organised on the occasion of the closing ceremony of the year long celebration of Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya's 150th birthday anniversary.
President of Nepal Ram Baran Yadav was conferred honorary doctorate of Law at the convocation.
A 23-year-old girl was gang-raped and tortured inside a moving bus on December 16 in south Delhi. The incident sparked a wave of protests, leaving the capital paralysed.