This is fake justice, say women leaders

Hyderabad: Women’s organisations call it “counterfeit justice” which does not guarantee that there will be no further rape. Murder as justice does not guarantee safety for women. Protecting women’s rights is important and the government must work towards that.

The instant gratification in the name of an “encounter” does not mean that all is well. The government has to strengthen the judicial system and ensure that there is not only justice but also deterrence that will make men fear the act of rape.

All India Progressive Women’s Association in a statement said that ‘custodial murder in the name of encounter’ means that the government is telling women that they can’t ensure safe streets, can’t investigate crimes against women, can’t protect rape survivors and can’t ensure their dignity in court.

“The police action was like that of a lynch mob,” Kavita Krishnan, secretary AIPWA, said. “Police is asking us to accept lynching as the only possible justice. Women’s movement groups say this is not justice. This is a ploy to shut down our demand for accountability from the police, the judiciary, the government, and for justice and dignity for women. Instead of being accountable and answering our questions about his government’s failures to safeguard wom-en’s rights, the Telangana CM and his police have acted as leaders of a lynch mob.”

Dr Tripurana Venkatar-atnam, former chairperson of Telangana Women’s Commission, said, “This encounter shows that we need a strong judicial system. How effective is our legal system in granting punishment? The law must be implemented pro-perly and there must be severe punishment for all. Till that is done the perpetrators will feel scared.”