With several members in Rajya Sabha demanding "exemplary punishment" for the culprits in the rape and murder of a Dalit woman in Kerala, Social Justice Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot today said he will visit the village of the rape victim tomorrow.
During the Zero Hour, C P Narayanan of CPI(M) raised the issue of the rape and murder in Ernakulam district of Kerala on April 28, terming it as a "dastardly attack" similar to that of the Nirbhaya incident in Delhi.
He drew the House's attention that similar rape incidents occured in Kasargod last week and in Thiruvananthapuram yesterday adding "it is a black mark. Police is not very active in apprehending the culprits."
Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said: "It is a very, very heinous crime. Most shameful for every Keralite."
Several members associated themselves with the issue and demanded strict action against the culprits, with Tarun Vijay of BJP demandiing that a team should visit the state.
Responding the anguish expressed by members, Gehlot told them that he would visit the state tomorrow and meet the victim's family.
"I will go to Kerala tomorrow and meet the family of the girl. I will help them in getting justice," he added.
Vijay, who had raised the issue as soon as the House met, said it was a repeat of the Nirbhaya case and the Kerala government has "completely failed" to control such incidences. "God's own country" should not turn into a rapist country, he added.
D Raja (CPI) drew attention of the government towards the attrocities committed against Dalits across the country, adding that legislations have proved to be of no help.
S C Mishra (BSP) said that attrocities were happenning across India.
"The House is concerned. Stringent action should be taken and exemplary punishment given. Do everything possible so that such incidents do not happen," Kurien said.
Parliamentary Affairs Ministers Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the incident of rape and murder had crossed all limits and was inhuman.
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In the Lok Sabha, the issue was raised by Richard Hay (nominated) during the zero hour.
He attacked the Kerala government for "neglecting" the case so far, saying there was a "laxity" on its part.
BJP member Meenakshi Lekhi said if death penalty had been given to those convicted in the Nirbhaya case that shook the nation, "fear of law would have gone into the minds" of potential criminals.
Sharing the concern of members, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said the issue should not be looked from political angles.
He said he would apprise the Home Minister of the feelings of the House and find out the factual position and advise the state government of strongest possible action in the matter.
