Maliwal ends nine-day fast, says fight will go on
NEWDELHI: Delhi Commission for Women ( DCW) chairperson Swati Maliwal ended her nineday fast on Sunday, a day after the Union Cabinet approved an ordinance approving death penalty for people convicted of raping those below 12 years.
On Sunday, the President promulgated The Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018, which was approved by the cabinet on Saturday.
Calling this a “historic victory” for the people of the country, Maliwal said, “I had not expected our protest to take such a large shape. It is a historic win for all of us who have been demanding stringent laws to punish convicted rapists.”
After the case of the rape of an eight-year-old girl in Jammu’s Kathua hit headlines, Maliwal launched an indefinite hunger strike at Rajghat on April 14, demanding the Centre amend the law to give death penalty for those who sexually assault minor girls.
Though Maliwal claimed her fast had prompted the government to bring the ordinance but much before her fast, Union women and child development (WCD) minister Maneka Gandhi made the demand. On April 12, the minister said that her ministry would push for amendment to the Protection of Children from Sexual Offence (POCSO) Act. The rape of the eight-year-old had caused a national uproar with several politicians, social activists and lawyers demanding stringent punishments for child rapes. Gandhi had said that her ministry would demand death penalty for aggravated sexual assault on minors.
“People ridiculed me when I decided to go on hunger strike. But today, I can say that a woman can achieve anything. I thank each and everyone for supporting our battle,” said Maliwal, who broke her fast by sipping water offered by young girls.
“This is not the end of our fight. We have a long way to go. If the government doesn’t implement the law within three months as promised, then I will again start my protest again,” Maliwal said.