New Delhi, 30 September (H.S.): Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Wednesday that there was no place for fear, terror or atrocities in the national capital, stressing that every girl should have access to a safe environment where she can move freely, according to her wishes and convenience, without fear. She was speaking at a special programme titled “Parampara Se Pragati” organised to mark the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Maitreyi College.

The Chief Minister said strict action would be taken against anyone who compromises the safety of women and that such acts would not be tolerated under any circumstances. Addressing the students, she said, “Today, as a woman, as a mother and as the Chief Minister, I want to tell all my daughters sitting here that I stand with you in every voice you raise, every act of courage you show, every need you have and whenever your safety is at stake.”

Gupta said she would do everything possible to strengthen the systems required to ensure women’s safety and to amplify their voices. “Whatever battle we have to fight, whatever resources we have to bring in and whatever arrangements we have to make, I will do everything possible to bring that system to this city while raising your voice,” she said.

Expressing happiness that young women were refusing to remain silent, the Chief Minister said their voices must be heard and should never be suppressed.

Questioning the disproportionate restrictions often imposed on girls, Gupta said, “You should not do this, you should do that. Wear this kind of clothing, behave in this manner, do not do this, do not do that. Why are all these instructions only for girls? So many restrictions, so many expectations and so many boundaries are imposed on girls. What about boys?”

She referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks from the Red Fort in 2014, when he called for parents and society to also teach boys about appropriate conduct and responsibility rather than placing the burden of preventing wrongdoing solely on girls.

The Chief Minister said that if daughters were taught what they should and should not do, sons should also be taught about their responsibilities and conduct. “There can be no compromise on this,” she said.

Gupta further asserted that no person who commits wrongdoing against women would be spared and reiterated her government’s commitment to ensuring women’s safety in Delhi.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar