Fact finding report on communal policing released

Senior Advocate Hemalatha Mahishi said that the members of Women’s Commission should not be affiliated to any political parties. The Commission should be allowed to function independently.

Speaking after the release of a fact finding report on ‘Attacking pubs and birthday parties: Communal policing by Hindutva outfit,’ organised by PUCL, Forum Against Atrocities on Women, Alternative Law Forum, Bangalore, here on Sunday, she said that when the Commission members are affiliated to a political party, then they can not probe into the incident impartially. Those who have concern towards women should be made as its president and members. The ruling government does not want the Commission to function independently. There is a need to strengthen Women’s Commission.

“The attack on those boys and girls who were partying at a homestay has made us to bow our head in shame. The attack in the name of culture and tradition, has made us to wonder the need for such culture in the society,” she said. The attack on women in the name of protecting culture is not a justifiable act, in a country where women are revered, she added.

Mahishi said incidents like homestay attack give political mileage to the organisation which indulges in such attacks. If this is so, then what will happen to the future of our country? she asked.

The role of police in the incident is also questionable. They had victimised the victims further. The victims should get moral support to fight till the accused are punished. Even the female victims are main witness to the incident and their version also plays a vital role in winning the case.

MIC Director Varadesh Hiregange also spoke.

Member of fact finding committee Suresh Bhat and Arvind Narayan from Alternative Law Forum were present.