The Union Home Ministry's decision to disband the Special Task Force (STF) on women's safety in Delhi today draw sharp reactions from various women's organisations which termed it a "regressive" step and blamed the Centre for not giving "due importance" to the issue.
"This is a regressive step on the part of government. Such a move will weaken the resolve of creating safe and secure conditions for women," said women's rights activist Ranjana Kumari.
The government, she said, instead of weakening and disbanding the existing institutions on women's safety should rather work towards strengthening them.
"People voted for Modi government so that issues related to women are addressed. But successive governments have failed to give due importance to the issues of women.
"The government should work towards strengthening the existing institutions like NCW and DCW in terms of giving them more power, budget and authority so that they can effectively redress the issues related to women's safety," she said.
Echoing similar views, Jagmati Sangwan from All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA) said at a time when crime against women is increasing steadily, such a move is "uncalled for".
"Crimes and atrocities against women are increasing day by day and there is need for more structures and mechanisms to deal with them. The existing forums also need to be empowered. Women's issues are last in the priority list of government," Sangwan said.
Director of Joint Women's Programme (JWP), Jyotsana Chatterjee said there is lack of political will to tackle the issue of violence and atrocities against women and accused the government of sidelining such an important issue.
Yesterday, Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chairperson Swati Maliwal wrote to Home Minister Rajnath Singh urging him to review his decision of disbanding the STF saying it was the only forum in the capital for coordination between the Centre and the state on the issue of women's safety.
The task force was established in 2013 following the brutal Nirbhaya gangrape.
