Women's Rights Activists Demand NCW's Chandramukhi Devi's Resignation

After NCW member Chandramukhi Devi’s statement on victim-blaming, women’s rights activists have demanded her resignation. A group of women rights activists including former NCW Chairperson Mohini Giri and former members of Sayeda Hameed and Padma Seth alleged in a statement that Devi’s comment was “most despicable and condemnable” and unbecoming of any person “who has been placed there to ensure the rights of every single woman and girl child of the country.”

A few days back, NCW's Chandramukhi Devi made headlines for issuing a sexist comment while investigating the gang-rape and murder of a 50-year-old woman in Badaun district of UP. She blamed the woman for stepping out alone in the evening which made her susceptible to rape. A video circulated on social media that showed Devi saying, "I think this incident would not have occurred if the woman had not stepped out of her house alone or had she been accompanied by a child of the family."

Also Read: Temple Priest Arrested In Badaun Gangrape And Murder Case

Consequently, the women's rights activists have condemned her statement and demanded her resignation from NCW. According to a report by TOI, a group of women activists stated, "The fact that a member of the apex statutory body should have said of the raped and murdered woman from Badaun that all this was avoidable had she not gone out alone is the most despicable and condemnable comment which speaks volumes for her regressive mindset which does not behove any man or woman, leave alone a person who has been placed there to ensure the rights of every single woman and girl child of the country."

Adding further, the activists questioned Devi for putting the blame of rape on the woman. The statement said, "The NCW member’s statement put the onus on the victim and fell in the retrograde narrative that assumed that women who ventured out in the evenings and nights were irresponsible."

Moreover, the activists raised concerns on how the authorities can appoint leaders that do not pay any heed to the duty and trust bestowed on them. "This statement of Ms Devi has brought India down several notches. Appointment of women of her thinking speaks volumes for the calibre of appointing authorities who give no thought to the dignity of this public office and the trust which women and men of India have imposed on them.” The statement further added, “The corrective must be applied forthwith lest women and right-thinking men rise in a massive wave to express their condemnation.”

Her statement has been earlier criticised by many known personalities like Tapsee Pannu, Pooja Bhatt, Urmila Matondkar and NCW Chairperson Rekha Sharma. You can read about their statements here.

Moreover, Congress General Secretary, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also condemned Devi’s statement. In A Facebook post, Vadra said, “Will we be able to ensure women’s safety with such behaviour? Member of the Women’s Commission is blaming the victim for rape." She further added, "Women will not forgive this administration system and their misunderstanding."

Also Read: Stop Blaming Women For Getting Raped! NCW Member say Girls Shouldn’t Step Out Late