Madhya Pradesh Minister of Women and Child Development Archana Chitnis on Wednesday, 13 December, sent a proposal to the Home Ministry seeking faster issue of gun licences to women.
The proposal seeks the speedy disposal of cases where women, including survivors of rape and sexual harassment, have sought gun licences.
My recommendation is that if a woman requires a weapon licence, then she should get it without delay. This would boost their morale and they’ll feel confident. We won’t give a licence to every rape victim or victims of other forms of harassment but to only those who apply for it, provided they meet all the conditions.Archana Chitnis, Minister, Women & Child Development, MP
The minister’s proposal comes days after the Madhya Pradesh Assembly passed a bill to award the death penalty to those convicted of the rape or gang rape of a girl less than 12 years of age.
The Madhya Pradesh Assembly unanimously passed the bill on 4 December. The bill, once approved by the President of India, will become law.
The Congress took the opportunity to say that the proposal to expedite gun licences for women was an admission by the government that it had failed to provide security to survivors of sexual assault.
If the rape victim moves with a gun, she will be branded as a victim for life. It would be better to give free revolvers to girls and women so that that they protect themselves before the crime is committed, than to give guns after they fall prey.JP Dhanopia, Leader, Congress
Congress added that issuing a gun licence would lead to a disclosure of the survivor’s identity, which violates court orders, The Indian Express reported.
(With inputs from The Indian Express and ANI)
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