Dhanbad: Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi on Saturday accused the Jharkhand state government of being insensitive towards issues concerning women's safety and justice. She alleged that despite being in office for more than seven years, the Hemant Soren-led government has failed to constitute the state women's commission.
Minister's Allegations at Rozgar Mela
Addressing the media during the Rozgar Mela organized in Dhanbad, the minister stated that crimes against women, including rape, murder, and other forms of violence, are frequently reported in the state, but women often fail to get justice. "There is nobody in this government to listen to the problems of women. It is unfortunate that even after so many years, the state still doesn't have a women's commission," she said.
She alleged that the state government has not shown seriousness toward women's welfare and protection. "Absence of a functioning commission has left many women without an institutional platform to raise their grievances," she added.
Event Attendees and Virtual Participation
Dhanbad BJP MP Dulu Mahato and local MLA Raj Sinha attended the programme. Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined the programme virtually through video conferencing, with appointment letters distributed to more than 51,000 newly recruited candidates across the country. In Ranchi, a similar programme was held at the CCL auditorium, attended by Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, Ranchi MLA C P Singh, among others, where 132 candidates received appointment letters.
JMM's Response
JMM spokesperson Neelam Mishra said that the process for constituting the women's commission is underway and it will soon become functional. Mishra termed the criticism over women's issues as ridiculous. She alleged, "BJP workers themselves have been accused of misbehaving with women. They have no moral authority to speak on women's dignity. Despite women's commissions being active in BJP-governed states, women there are still deprived of justice. The condition of women in Jharkhand is better than in BJP-governed states."
