Is Women's Safety Conditional? NCW Responds to Nighttime Restrictions
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Synopsis
In light of the Durgapur gang-rape incident, NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar emphasizes that women's safety must be a priority at all times. Her remarks come after controversial comments from West Bengal's Chief Minister regarding nighttime safety for women. This highlights the urgent need for a collective approach to ensure justice and security for women.
Key Takeaways
- Women's safety must be prioritized at all times.
- The NCW is committed to ensuring justice.
- Collective responsibility is essential for a secure environment.
- Recent comments by political leaders can impact public discourse.
- Ongoing investigations must be thorough and transparent.
Kolkata, Oct 12 (NationPress) The shared responsibility of law enforcement, administrative bodies, society, and educational institutions is crucial for creating a safe environment for women at all times, emphasized National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar on Sunday following the harrowing Durgapur gang-rape incident.
Rahatkar reiterated a message from NCW's social media, stating, "The protection of women is of utmost importance, and the Commission is committed to ensuring prompt justice. While it is important to follow hostel regulations, women's safety should never be conditional."
The Chairperson's comments regarding the need for a secure environment for women at all times are particularly relevant in response to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's recent statement suggesting that girls should avoid going out at night.
"The police cannot monitor everyone by visiting their homes. Educational institutions, like private medical colleges, also bear responsibility for the safety of their students," CM Banerjee remarked to the media outside the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport.
Previously, a NCW representative visited Durgapur on Saturday to meet the victim of the recent medical student attack and engaged with police officials about the case, as stated in an NCW post on X.
The NCW's communication, shared on X, mentioned, "Under the direction of Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar, NCW member Archana Majumdar visited Durgapur to meet the rape survivor from the recent medical student assault case and discussed the ongoing investigation with police officials."
On Sunday, a local court in West Bengal ordered the police custody of three youths implicated in the gang-rape for a duration of 10 days.
The suspects were presented before the Durgapur Sub-divisional Court.
The judge mandated that the accused remain in police custody for 10 days.
The individuals arrested have been identified as Seikh Reajuddin, Apu Bauri, and Firdos Seikh.
It is alleged that they stole the mobile phone and ₹5,000 from the medical student while subjecting her to torture.
According to police sources, the girl's mobile phone has been recovered from the accused.
Authorities also claimed to have uncovered direct evidence against the three suspects.
A forensic team has arrived at the crime scene to collect additional evidence.
The police are actively searching for two additional suspects linked to the case.
On Friday, a second-year medical student from Odisha was reportedly gang-raped outside the campus in Durgapur after leaving with a male friend for dinner.
As per police reports, the medical student and her male companion were confronted by a group of young men on motorcycles who made inappropriate comments.
The men allegedly intimidated the male friend, dragged the medical student to a nearby forest area, and assaulted her.
Point of View
It is imperative to affirm that the responsibility for women's safety lies not only with the police but also with society at large. The NCW Chairperson's call for an unwavering commitment to women's safety resonates deeply in the wake of recent events. We must advocate for an environment where women can feel secure at all times, free from the constraints of conditional safety.
NationPress
13/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NCW's stance on women's safety?
The NCW emphasizes that women's safety should not be conditional and is a collective responsibility involving law enforcement, society, and institutions.
What recent incident prompted the NCW's statements?
The statements were made in response to a gang-rape incident involving a medical student in Durgapur.
What did the West Bengal Chief Minister suggest?
CM Mamata Banerjee suggested that girls should not go out at night, which raised concerns regarding the implications for women's safety.
