Not marriage, but martial arts to curb rape in UP

Former Haryana chief minister Om Prakash Chautala may have advocated early marriage to save  girls from being molested, but in Uttar Pradesh they have been given a better option. They would be trained in martial arts so they can protect themselves.

Officials of the education department have mooted a proposal under which girls
from class 6 to 8 in government schools in the state capital would be trained in judo, karate and taekwondo by experts.

“To begin with, as many as 1,500 girls will be trained in martial arts in different schools under the pilot project in the first phase,” said basic education officer Sarvadananda.

Training centres

He said eight training centres would be established where the girls will be trained for six months.

“These centres will be set up at schools where the number of students is more than 100’’, he added. The recruitment of trainers would begin very soon, the official added.
He said the process to identify such schools was underway and the government had provided the necessary funding.

The project would be taken up in other districts in later stages. While the officials did not elaborate, sources said the step was being taken keeping in view the rising incidents of crime against women.

Many girls have committed suicide in the state after being allegedly molested or raped in the past.

So next time one should not be surprised if a girl is found kicking a molester instead of shouting for help.