Blaming the Centre for the rise in crimes against women across the country, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) vice president Smriti Irani on Friday said government representatives need to urgently take critical steps to stop such incidents, instead of always offering sympathy after such crimes are committed.
Condemning the gang-rape of a 22-year-old female photojournalist in Mumbai, Irani said: "It was only the government who can ensure the safety of women and they should be held responsible."
"It is a matter of shame. It is the responsibility of the government to provide security. Will law be confined only to paper?," Irani told media here.
Echoing similar sentiments, BJP leader Najma Heptullah said: "These people do not fear the law. I condemn this horrid crime. The government must take action."
"It is appalling that such an incident has taken place in a city like Mumbai which is considered relatively safe for women. How on earth do you expect girls to go out and carry on with their work?," she added.
A 22-year-old photojournalist, interning for a lifestyle magazine, was allegedly raped by at least three among a group of five men at an abandoned mill close to the railway tracks in the Mahalaxmi area of Mumbai last night.
The incident reportedly took place at around 8 p.m. when the girl and her male colleague were at Shakti Mills, which is located very close to the railway tracks in the Mahalaxmi area, shooting for a magazine assignment.
"The victim had gone along with her friend to the Shakti Mills to take some photographs. It was evening time. And, there the two boys...and based on the statements given by them (others detained in the case for questioning), three more men came, who then raped her," Mumbai Police Commissioner Satyapal Singh said.
In a chilling reminder of the December 16 gang rape in Delhi, the men tied up the victim's friend and raped the woman.
The victim is recuperating in Jaslok Hospital. Preliminary reports suggested she has sustained multiple internal injuries.
A special squad has been formed by the local police as well as by the crime branch to probe into the case and investigators has fanned out across the city to trace the accused.
