In a significant crackdown on crimes against women in Rajasthan, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot announced on Tuesday that individuals accused of rape and those with a history of criminal activities will be ineligible for government employment in the state.
In a tweet in Hindi, Ashok Gehlot stated, “The state government has decided that those engaged in harassment, attempted sexual misconduct, or charged with sexual offenses, as well as individuals with a criminal record, will be disqualified from government jobs.”
To achieve this objective, details of wrongdoers will be documented in police stations, and character certificates issued by either the state government or the police will indicate this information.
This announcement comes at a time when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been consistently criticizing the Congress-led Rajasthan government regarding incidents of crimes against women in the state.
Rajasthan has been grappling with a series of abhorrent crimes against women, with the latest incident involving the alleged gang-rape and murder of a 4-year-old girl in a coal furnace in the Bhilwara district on August 2. Seven individuals, including a woman, have been apprehended in connection with the case.
Condemning this appalling act, Ashok Gehlot emphasized that his government is treating incidents like those in Bhilwara and Jodhpur with utmost seriousness. He instructed the state police to take stringent action against individuals involved in crimes against women.
Gehlot tweeted, “In the heinous Bhilwara incident, the police have already arrested seven suspects…. These culprits will be swiftly brought to justice through the submission of a charge-sheet in a fast track court, ensuring they face severe punishment as soon as possible.”
Earlier in the day, former Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan and Tonk MLA Sachin Pilot expressed his outrage over the incident. He stated, “I met the victim’s family members and learned that all the accused have been apprehended, and the police are also taking into custody the two minors involved. The administration has informed me that the court will conduct daily hearings and initiate strict actions under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act against the perpetrators.”
The commitment to addressing these heinous crimes and ensuring swift justice remains a focal point for both the government and concerned citizens in Rajasthan.