Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) leader Supriya Sule has raised serious concerns over the rising incidents of crimes against women in Maharashtra, urging Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to take immediate and decisive action to address the worsening law and order situation, reported IANS.
Surge in crimes across urban and rural regions
In a letter addressed to the Chief Minister, Sule highlighted a sharp increase in crimes against women, including physical assault, murder, sexual exploitation, domestic violence and kidnapping. She pointed out that major cities such as Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Nashik have witnessed a troubling surge in such incidents, reported IANS.
She noted that the situation is equally concerning in rural areas, where families are increasingly anxious about the safety of young girls. According to Sule, this growing sense of insecurity is affecting access to education, healthcare and overall development opportunities for women and girls.
Concerns over state’s reputation and governance
Sule said the rise in such crimes is damaging Maharashtra’s reputation as a state known for maintaining strong law and order. She emphasised that ensuring the safety of citizens, particularly women, is a fundamental responsibility of the government, reported IANS.
Calling the situation “deeply regrettable,” she urged the administration to treat the issue with urgency and seriousness.
Key demands to improve women’s safety
In her communication, Sule outlined a series of measures that she believes are necessary to tackle the crisis. She called for the Chief Minister, who also handles the Home portfolio, to personally review women’s safety across all districts, reported IANS.
Among her key demands were a significant increase in the number of women personnel in the police force and enhanced night patrolling, especially in vulnerable areas.
She also stressed the need to operationalise workplace safety mechanisms such as Vishakha Guidelines committees in every district and to fill vacant posts in the State Women’s Commission without delay.
Focus on grassroots interventions and prevention
Sule further recommended strengthening village-level systems to address domestic violence and implementing a strict zero-tolerance policy against child marriage and child abuse, reported IANS.
She also called for the issuance of comprehensive safety guidelines for female students in schools and colleges, along with stronger coordination among government agencies to ensure swift action in cases of violence.
Calls for immediate government response
Concluding her appeal, Sule urged the state government to act swiftly and implement a clear action plan to restore confidence among women across Maharashtra, reported IANS.
She emphasised that timely intervention is crucial to reversing the current trend and ensuring a safer environment for women in both urban and rural parts of the state.
(With inputs from IANS)
