Speaking in Jalgaon on Sunday during an interaction with beneficiaries of the Lakhpati Didi scheme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that crimes against women are inexcusable and must be met with strict punishment. He emphasized that perpetrators should not be spared, and those who assist them in any way should also face consequences. Modi’s comments are seen as a response to recent incidents, including the rape of a medical professional in Kolkata and the assault of two juveniles in Badlapur, Maharashtra.
The Prime Minister stressed that there should be no delay in addressing crimes against women and warned that any institution—be it hospitals, police, schools, or offices—found delaying or being lax in their response would be held accountable. “Governments may come and go, but women’s safety must be ensured,” he stated, adding, “We are strengthening the laws to ensure the strictest punishment is given.”
Modi also highlighted new measures under the **Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita** that aim to expedite justice for women. He noted that women can now file an e-FIR from their homes if they are uncomfortable visiting a police station, and that there are provisions for the death penalty and life imprisonment for severe crimes against women. Additionally, the new laws address issues of men deceiving women with false promises of marriage, which was not adequately covered before.
Criticizing the delays and inadequacies in handling recent crimes, Modi assured that the central government is fully supporting state governments in addressing these cases. His remarks follow criticisms faced by both the Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal and the Shiv Sena-BJP-NCP government in Maharashtra for their handling of crimes against women.
During his address, Modi also spoke about the success of the Lakhpati Didi scheme, noting that over 1.1 million women had joined the program in the last two months, with an additional 100,000 joining on Sunday. He praised the efforts of Eknath Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar in making women self-sufficient through various schemes, including those that empower women in banking and agriculture.
The Prime Minister emphasized that India is on its way to becoming a developed nation, with Maharashtra playing a crucial role in this progress. He highlighted the state’s potential to attract investors and create jobs and stressed the importance of a **Mahayuti** government to drive industrial growth and skill development.
