New Delhi, Dec 30 (ANI): Expressing profound grief over the demise of the 23-year-old Delhi gang-rape victim, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday reiterated the demand for a Special Session, saying a proper debate in the Parliament would certainly be able to tap upon the serious sense of distress and dismay, which is sweeping the country because of the supreme sacrifice of the young brave daughter of India.
BJP chief spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said it is imperative that a Special Session of Parliament be called at the earliest to reflect upon the serious concerns of the country.
Prasad said 'a very courageous daughter of India fighting the crime against women has given the ultimate sacrifice and in the process has awakened the entire country'.
" While we salute her courage, give our profound condolences to the members of her family; we need to acknowledge that this India, which is pained, which is distressed also wants answers. And the polity of the country will have to give answers," said Prasad.
"The BJP wishes to assure the government that in all suitable legislative measures to strengthen laws relating to crime against women, strengthening the judicial architecture to ensure a speedy justice to those who are the victims and taking action against the perpetrators of these heinous crimes. The party will cooperate with the government. The government needs to come quickly with a proper structured response," he added.
The Congress-led UPA Government, which has been forced on the backfoot over this heinous crime, has constituted a three-member committee headed by former Chief Justice of India J.S. Verma to give recommendations on amending laws to provide speedier justice and enhanced punishment in sexual assault cases,
The three-member committee, which has sought suggestions from the general public by January 5, has issued a notice seeking suggestions from the public in general, particularly eminent jurists, legal professionals, NGOs, women's groups and civil society members in a bid to provide quicker justice and stringent punishment for crimes against women.
The committee, which was constituted after public protests erupted over the Delhi gang rape case, will look into possible amendments to the criminal law for faster trial and proper punishment for criminals accused of committing sexual assault of extreme nature against women.
The other members of the committee, constituted by the government, are Justice (Retd.) Leila Seth, former Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court, and Gopal Subramanian, former Solicitor General of India.
Prasad, who is the Deputy Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, also expressed his disappointment over the national capital being sealed in the wake of the ongoing protests over the brutal gang-rape, saying the present situation reminded the BJP of what happened during the emergency.
"Why should Delhi be sealed like this? Why should Delhi be converted into a 'chhavni'". This is very very unfair. Metro trains have been closed, people cannot move. I think a nation in shock is certainly entitled to display its sense of despair, anger and pain. That's what democracy is about. We don't appreciate it at all," he said.
Five out of the ten Metro stations in Central Delhi that were closed down for an indefinite period in the wake of the massive protests over the death of the 23-year-old gang-rape victim, were opened for the commuters this afternoon.
The Delhi Police had earlier issued advisory to all ten Metro stations to remain closed tomorrow till further notice.
The decision to close down the Metro stations was taken by Delhi Police, which is making all efforts to prevent the protesters from reaching the India Gate. They have already blocked the entire India Gate area so as to avoid any untoward incident.
Delhi Police has imposed Section 144 in various places of the national capital.
The BJP leader further said the hurried manner in which the cremation of the girl was done was avoidable.
"We understand the right of privacy. The right of privacy has to be respected, but this hush manner certainly raises a lot of curious questions too," he added.
The body of the 23-year-old medical student, who was brutally gang-raped in a moving bus in Delhi, was flown to the national capital from Singapore early this morning and cremated within hours. (ANI)
