Maliwal indefinite hungerstrike enters 4th day
BJP MP Shatrughan backs DCW chief, agrees with Kejri on death sentence for rapists
Demanding stringent laws and death penalty for rapists, Delhi Commission for Women ( DCW) chief Swati Maliwal continued her indefinite hungerstrike for the fourth day on Monday.
On Monday, BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha reached Rajghat where Ms Maliwal launched her indefinite hungerstrike on Friday.
He said, “I have come here not as any politician but as an aware citizen of the country, an aware artist, and as a father of a daughter. I completely agree with Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal that in such heinous crimes time bound completion of trial is necessary and the toughest punishment, the death penalty, should be awarded to the guilty.”
Ms Maliwal ( 33) launched the protest at Rajghat on Friday in the wake of the rape incidents in UP’s Unnao and Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua districts.
Slamming the Delhi police for trying to end her strike, Ms Maliwal said private doctors examined her on Monday and the reports suggest that she can continue the hungerstrike.
According to a DCW member, Ms Maliwal, who is only consuming water during her fast, has lost two kilos in three days.
“Instead of taking some action and responding to our demands, the Centre is trying to end our hungerstrike. If the government can ban currency notes overnight, why can’t the Prime Minister take some strict measures ensuring safety for women,” the DCW chief said.
Earlier in the day, Ms Maliwal said the Delhi police had tried to evacuate the venue. She sought help from Mr Kejriwal, who joined her on Sunday.
“Arvind Kejriwal sir, the DCP, the ACP, and the doctor are harassing me. My ketone level is 2. As you may appreciate, this is nothing. Even the previous day they fabricated reports. I am at Rajghat and the entire police force is forcibly trying to take me away. Sir, I request you to ensure my protection from them,” she tweeted.
In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, the DCW chief said, “I will not break my anshan ( fast) until the Prime Minister promises the country a better system for the safety of our daughters.”