Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 6 Nov: Workers of the Uttarakhand Mahila Congress today staged a protest against the visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to Dehradun under the leadership of state Mahila Congress president Jyoti Rautela. The protesters also released black balloons and burnt an effigy of the Union Home Minister to express their anger over rising crimes against women, concerns regarding women’s safety and the demand for justice in the Ankita Bhandari murder case.
Speaking on the occasion, Jyoti Rautela claimed that women’s safety has emerged as a serious and worrying issue across the country. She alleged that incidents of crime against women and girls during the BJP government’s tenure have exposed the gap between its claims and the ground reality. She also claimed that cases of rape, molestation, abduction, domestic violence and harassment are creating an atmosphere of fear and insecurity, raising concerns about the safety of women.
Referring to the Ankita Bhandari murder case, Rautela said the people of Uttarakhand are still awaiting complete justice and a transparent resolution of all questions linked to the case. She claimed that despite repeated demands from the public, the government has failed to provide satisfactory answers on several aspects related to the incident. She described the case as a matter connected not only to one family but also to the dignity and safety of every daughter of Uttarakhand.
Rautela also accused the BJP of adopting double standards regarding political programmes. She recalled that organisations associated with the BJP had opposed Rahul Gandhi’s rally in Delhi on 1 November on the grounds that such events during the festive season affected traders. However, the BJP itself is organising Amit Shah’s programme on Dhanteras, when people traditionally make major purchases, was itself inconvenient for traders and the public.
The Mahila Congress leader further alleged that recurring incidents of rape, molestation, harassment and violence against women are raising serious questions over the law and order situation in the state. She said merely registering cases and issuing statements after crimes occur is not sufficient and called for stronger policing, a more sensitive administration and greater accountability. She demanded effective women’s helplines, adequate deployment of women police personnel, regular patrolling in vulnerable areas, enhanced CCTV surveillance and better legal and psychological support for victims.
Rautela said women’s safety is not merely a law and order issue but one linked to dignity, freedom and equal rights. She asserted that both the Central and state governments must be held accountable on the issue and said the Mahila Congress would continue its struggle for justice for Ankita Bhandari and the safety and dignity of women across Uttarakhand.
Among those present were Mahila Congress state vice-president Asha Manorama Sharma, Najma Khan, Urmila Thapa, Pushpa Panwar, Chandrakala Negi, Nidhi Negi, Sushila Sharma Belwal, Anita Saklani, Poonam Singh, Deepa Chauhan, Anuradha Dhingra, Anuradha Tiwari, Babita and several other party office-bearers and workers.
