SHILLONG: The women’s wing of the State Congress unit may be slow at reacting to the cases of sexual harassment and trafficking of minors and women at home but it showed its promptness in defending its leader far away from home.
The Meghalaya Pradesh Mahila Congress protested against the remark of BJP leader Binay Katihar against Priyanka Gandhi at Congress Bhavan on Wednesday.
Katihar said last week that Priyanka “is neither a star nor is she that beautiful as it is promoted. We have Smriti Irani who can draw a bigger crowd than Priyanka, we have many star campaigners who are more beautiful than Priyanka”.
Speaking to reporters, Joplin Scott Shylla said, “As Congress party members, we unanimously condemn the statement of Katihar.”
When asked to comment on the grim crime scenario in the State and sexual harassment of women and children, Shylla said it was appalling.
The women’s wing of the State Congress came out with a statement condemning th rise in crime against women and children only last week, more than a month after the 14-year-old girl’s rape and trafficking case came to light on December 16.
When asked whether the Mahila Congress is satisfied with the way the State Government is handling cases, Shylla said, “They are handling in a good way. They are doing their best.”
She, however, said the Mahila Congress would put pressure on the State Government to deal with the rising crimes against women in a strong manner as the measures taken by the government so far were not enough.
“We feel that rapes are rampant in the state. Law should be more stringent. Education system should be changed and sex education should be included in the education system,” she said.
Blaming technology for the rise in juvenile crime, Shylla said, “Access to sex is easier for them. We should educate children in schools and teach them to respect girls.”
Shylla said women should be empowered as “they need to work hard to improve the condition of the society”.
