New Delhi:
Launching a fresh attack on Delhi Police, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Wednesday rued that things have not changed since the brutal December 16 gang-rape incident in the city and women are still scared of going to police stations to register their complaints.
"Sensitivity of policing should be more than what is right now. It is very difficult for women to go to a police station and register a complaint because they are scared of going to police," Ms Dikshit said in an interaction at Indian Women's Press Corps (IWPC) in Delhi.
Normally cool Ms Dikshit lost her temper when she was asked whether the Chief Ministership should be abolished as she was helpless in addressing major issues confronting the city.
"If you want to abolish the CM's post, then do so," she retorted.
She, however, quickly listed her achievements in the last 14 years claiming that her government has performed splendidly in diverse sectors including education, health care and road infrastructure.
Ms Dikshit had severely criticised police in the wake of the brutal gang-rape and assault of a 23-year-old student who later died in December last year and even demanded resignation of Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar. She had also regretted not having any control over functioning of the police which functions under the Home Ministry.
"The crime against women is a matter of great concern for us. Women do not go to police station as they do not have confidence in police. This is a major challenge to change the current system. We have to confront the challenge. But question is where to start and how to start," Ms Dikshit said.
The Chief Minister has been attacking police periodically after the gang-rape incident and even sought the Prime Minister's intervention in February to direct the force to deliver on its promises to improve women's safety.
The Delhi Government has been seeking some aspect of policing like traffic management and law and order under it.
The Delhi Police functions directly under the administrative control of the Home Ministry.
The Chief Minister also underlined the need for changing the mindset of the society to ensure better security environment for women in the city.
"Rapes have been taking place in the city and the culprit in majority of the cases is in the home or neighbourhood, and victim's family feels helpless in taking any action," she said.
"Society's thinking has to change a lot and collective efforts need to be taken. We have to work collectively to awaken people and change society's mindset. We must do everything possible to improve the situation," Ms Dikshit said.
The Chief Minister said she has been raising concerns over the law and order situation on behalf of the common people as they often come to the elected representatives.
"The common people cannot go to the Home Minister, Lt Governor and Police Commissioner. They come to me. I have to raise voice on their behalf," she said.
Asked what will be the issues on which she will seek people's support for Congress in the assembly polls due in November, she said she would go to the electorate with confidence based on her government's performance.
"I will go to the people with confidence. I think people will see our performance and decide," she said.
Asked about her recent comments that she was offered a bribe for a ticket for the assembly polls, Ms Dikshit refused to go into details but said focus must also be on those who offer bribe.
"We always focus on those who take bribe but we do not focus on those who give bribe. We must focus on bribe givers as well," Ms Dikshit said.
"Sensitivity of policing should be more than what is right now. It is very difficult for women to go to a police station and register a complaint because they are scared of going to police," Ms Dikshit said in an interaction at Indian Women's Press Corps (IWPC) in Delhi.
Normally cool Ms Dikshit lost her temper when she was asked whether the Chief Ministership should be abolished as she was helpless in addressing major issues confronting the city.
"If you want to abolish the CM's post, then do so," she retorted.
She, however, quickly listed her achievements in the last 14 years claiming that her government has performed splendidly in diverse sectors including education, health care and road infrastructure.
Ms Dikshit had severely criticised police in the wake of the brutal gang-rape and assault of a 23-year-old student who later died in December last year and even demanded resignation of Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar. She had also regretted not having any control over functioning of the police which functions under the Home Ministry.
"The crime against women is a matter of great concern for us. Women do not go to police station as they do not have confidence in police. This is a major challenge to change the current system. We have to confront the challenge. But question is where to start and how to start," Ms Dikshit said.
The Chief Minister has been attacking police periodically after the gang-rape incident and even sought the Prime Minister's intervention in February to direct the force to deliver on its promises to improve women's safety.
The Delhi Government has been seeking some aspect of policing like traffic management and law and order under it.
The Delhi Police functions directly under the administrative control of the Home Ministry.
The Chief Minister also underlined the need for changing the mindset of the society to ensure better security environment for women in the city.
"Rapes have been taking place in the city and the culprit in majority of the cases is in the home or neighbourhood, and victim's family feels helpless in taking any action," she said.
"Society's thinking has to change a lot and collective efforts need to be taken. We have to work collectively to awaken people and change society's mindset. We must do everything possible to improve the situation," Ms Dikshit said.
The Chief Minister said she has been raising concerns over the law and order situation on behalf of the common people as they often come to the elected representatives.
"The common people cannot go to the Home Minister, Lt Governor and Police Commissioner. They come to me. I have to raise voice on their behalf," she said.
Asked what will be the issues on which she will seek people's support for Congress in the assembly polls due in November, she said she would go to the electorate with confidence based on her government's performance.
"I will go to the people with confidence. I think people will see our performance and decide," she said.
Asked about her recent comments that she was offered a bribe for a ticket for the assembly polls, Ms Dikshit refused to go into details but said focus must also be on those who offer bribe.
"We always focus on those who take bribe but we do not focus on those who give bribe. We must focus on bribe givers as well," Ms Dikshit said.
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