At a Lakhpati Didi rally in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated that crimes against women are unforgivable, emphasizing the need for stricter laws and harsher punishments. He also noted that his government has achieved more for women’s empowerment in the past decade than all previous administrations since Independence.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today promised decisive action against crimes targeting women, following widespread outrage over the rape and murder of a junior doctor in a Kolkata hospital.
At the ‘Lakhpati Didi Sammelan’ in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, PM Modi stated,
“The safety of women is crucial. I reiterate to every state government that crimes against women are unforgivable. No matter who the offender is, they must not be spared,”
The Modi government defines a “Lakhpati Didi” as a self-help group member who achieves an annual household income of Rs.1 lakh or more.
This income is assessed over at least four agricultural seasons or business cycles, with a sustainable average monthly income exceeding Rs.10,000.
PM Modi said,
“We are tightening laws to ensure harsh punishment for those who commit crimes against women,”
The rape and murder of a junior doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital ignited nationwide protests, fueling a heated political clash between West Bengal‘s ruling Trinamool Congress and BJP leaders over the worsening state of women’s safety.
During the Jalgaon event, PM Modi asserted that his government has done more for women in the last decade than all previous administrations since Independence.
PM Modi stated,
“Before 2014, women self-help groups received less than Rs. 25,000 crore in loans. In the last 10 years, that amount has increased to Rs. 9 lakh crore,”
Expressing support for Maharashtra’s BJP-led Mahayuti government, he urged people to back the administration for the long term to ensure stability and prosperity.
PM Modi said,
“Maharashtra is the shining star of a developed India. The state’s future depends on increased investment and job creation,”
Modi recounted his recent visit to Poland, where he observed the high regard the Polish people have for the people of Maharashtra. He mentioned that during World War II, the Kolhapur settlement provided refuge to Polish women and children, and this gesture is still deeply appreciated by the Polish community today.