Swati Maliwal appeals to implement 'AP Disha Bill' in letter addressed to PM Modi

Chairperson of Delhi Commission for Women Swati Maliwal who has been on an indefinite hunger strike since 12 days, wrote ar letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking Centre's intervention in enacting  'Disha' law in country at earliest.

'In view of increasing sexual crimes and injustice against women and children of India, crores of people came out on streets to demand stricter and definite punishments for rapists, wrote Swati. Several thousand protests have taken place in country.'

In her letter dressed to PM Modi, Swati said: I wrote to you on first day of my fast, seeking immediate action of certain specific demands. However, I am deeply sdened to te that despite this gravely alarming situation and demands from across country including my indefinite fast, re has been hardly any response from you to se appeals. It appears as if you have consciously chosen to igre cries and prayers of country’s daughters and sisters.

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What is  Disha Bill?

In her letter, Swati said that  Government of Andhra Presh has shown a 'beacon of hope', by passing ‘Disha Bill’ in Andhra Presh Assembly which provides legislation for all demands that she has been making since day-one of her hunger strike. She said that Disha Bills are a game-changer for ensuring justice in crimes against women. Some of most remarkable provisions me by Disha Bills are as follows:

1. Bill amends Indian Penal Code and POCSO Act to provide for a maximum sentence of death penalty in offences of rape, gang-rape, child-rape, acid-attack;
2. It amends Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) to ensure that police investigation in cases of rape and acid attack is completed in 7 days, and furr that judicial trial is completed within 14 days;
3. It furr amends CrPC to ensure that all appeals and revision petitions are settled within 3 months;
4. It provides for setting up of special sessions courts (fast-track courts) in every district to specifically deal with offences of rape, molestation and acid attack;
5. Government has anunced appointment of women public prosecutors in se courts and also special teams of police to investigate se crimes.

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Swati Maliwal commended  Andhra Presh Government for enacting this legislation within a span of a few days and expressed disappointment in government for failing to make crucial decisions on grave matter. She also slammed politicians and leers who failed to make any constructive decisions in Parliament to ensure safety of women and girls.

It is a matter of grave concern that despite all resources and systems at its disposal, Central Government could t take se highly critical decisions till date. I am also deeply sdened to te that crucial time of Parliament of India has been wasted by our parliamentarians in last few days, without taking any constructive decisions to ensure safety of women and girls of this country, Swati wrote. 

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Appeal to enact  Disha Bill

DCW chief urged  Central Government to show same urgency and concern just like Andhra Government who took 'historic decision' of passing Disha Bills. She appealed PM Modi to immediately enact Disha Bills for entire country. Swati, who has lost more than 8 kgs so far since she went on a hunger strike, assured Prime Minister that she will continue her indefinite fast until ‘Disha’ law is enacted in country.

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Here is Swati's letter