'Those Who Commit Such Crimes Won't Be Spared:' PM Modi Amid Kolkata Horror

New Delhi: Amid rising concerns over crime against women, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday assured that those involved in such offenses “will not be spared.” PM Modi's reassurance came in the backdrop of recent Kolkata trainee doctor's rape and murder case, the Badlapur school sex abuse case, and the Assam gangrape.

Addressing the recent nationwide outrage over these cases, PM Modi said, "We are strengthening and making stricter laws for criminals who commit sins against women."

The PM highlighted the government's efforts to strengthen legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms, including the introduction of amendments to existing laws and the creation of new systems to make justice more accessible to victims.

“Along with empowering the women... it is also the country's priority to ensure their safety. Today, I understand the anger of any state. I want to appeal to the state governments too that crime against women should not be tolerated. Anybody who commits such crimes should face strict punishment.”

“Earlier, there were complaints that FIRs were not filed. We brought the BNS [Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita] and made a lot of amendments,” he added. “If a woman does not want to go to the police station, she can file an e-FIR. Nobody can change or tamper with an e-FIR.”

On the issue of crimes against women after marriage, PM Modi noted that his government has introduced specific amendments to the BNS to address such concerns. He assured that the Centre stands firmly with state governments in tackling crimes against women.

"Today, I challenge you - keep the seven decades of previous governments on one side and put 10 years of the Modi government on the other scale... The amount of work that the Modi government has done for the sisters and daughters of the country, no government has done after Independence," he further said.

During the event, the Prime Minister interacted with ‘Lakhpati Didis,’ women members of self-help groups who have achieved an annual income of Rs 1 lakh. PM Modi felicitated 11 lakh new Lakhpati Didis and disbursed bank loans totalling Rs 5,000 crore, benefiting 25.8 lakh members of 2.35 lakh self-help groups (SHGs).

“Till 2014, less than Rs 25,000 crore loan given to women self-help groups; in last 10 years Rs 9 lakh crore disbursed,” the PM added.

Since the inception of the Lakhpati Didi scheme, one crore women have joined the initiative, with the government setting an ambitious target to make 3 crore women Lakhpati Didis, news agency PTI reported.

Lauding the Eknath Shinde dispensation’s focus on empowering women and fostering economic growth, PM Modi remarked, “Mahayuti government means a government for development.”