Mangaluru: The National Commission for Women will act on any instance of crimes against women, including sexist remarks that come to its notice. “Even if it is a media report, tweet or social media post, NCW team tracks the same and acts as per procedure laid down and gives the accused time to respond,” said NCW member Shyamala S Kundar.
She was replying to query regarding recent instances of sexist remarks by Congress and BJP leaders during electioneering in Madhya Pradesh. Without naming either the Congress or BJP leaders, Shyamala said the commission seeks report on the incidents from heads of state police force and the entire issue is handled in a time-bound manner. Since the entire process is now online, if a reply sought within a specified time is not received, red flags are raised prompting a follow up. “Officials duty-bound to reply to the notice cannot fudge facts without fear of censure,” Shyamala warned.
Even in the Hathras incident, the NCW team visited the victim in AIIMS, New Delhi and gave direction to Uttar Pradesh Director-General of Police Hitesh Chandra Awasthy to take steps as mandated by law. The process is on, she said, adding NCW will follow up the case till it receives the final action taken report. “We are not worried about the state where the crimes against women take place, we are only interested in providing justice,” she said.
She said although NCW stands with women facing injustice across India, it will not lose focus over due process. The commission works non-politically and will not be swayed by the political affiliation or stature of a person accused of either indulging in crimes against women, including making sexist remarks, she added.