Swati Maliwal to go on hunger strike; asks PM Narendra Modi to break silence on rapes

In a letter written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal has highlighted the deteriorating situation of crimes against women in the Capital and drew the attention to the rape of an eight-month-old girl earlier this year. Maliwal also reiterated her earlier demand of giving death penalty within six months to rapists of minors.

"Is this true that you do not feel the pain of the girls and women of the country? I appeal to you to hear the cries of women and girls and urge you to pay heed to the Mann Ki Baat of the citizens. Taking inspiration from your 'anshan', I will be sitting on an indefinite hunger strike from tomorrow i.e., April 13, until you come up with a concrete plan to present rapes in the country," she wrote in the letter.

She also urged the PM to support the Unnao survivor and ensure the arrest of the accused BJP MLA, and take action against the Bar Association in Kathua for supporting the rape accused.

She expressed pain at the silence of the PM on the recent rapes and lack of action regarding the same. She reminded him that over 5.5 lakh people had written to the PM demanding strong action against rapists but he failed not just work on the sensitive issue, but even speak about the same. Police resources, accountability, and fast-track courts are yet to be doing what is expected, she wrote.