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New Delhi, April 22: Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) Chairperson Swati Maliwal ended her indefinite hunger strike at 2 PM on Sunday, a day after the Union Cabinet approved an ordinance to award death sentence to rapists of children below 12 years of age. Maliwal has been on fast since April 13 at Rajghat in national capital. She had demanded death penalty for rapists of children after the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua and other instances that took place in past few days.
“I was fighting alone but then I was supported by people across the country. I think this is a historical victory in independent India. I congratulate everyone on this victory,” Maliwal said after breaking her fast.
DCW Chief Swati Maliwal breaks her indefinite hunger strike, says, 'I was fighting alone but then I was supported by people across the country. I think this is a historical victory in independent India. I congratulate everyone on this victory.' pic.twitter.com/RAwlKOnyVP
— ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2018
Earlier on Saturday, the DCW chief had said that she would continue her fast until something concrete happens to ensure the safety of a girl child. In a series of tweet, Maliwal had said “I congratulate people of this country for this victory. Very few protests have achieved so much in such less time. But until something concrete happens, I will not give up. Until a system is there which ensures safety for the last girl, I won’t give up.” (sic)
“I will continue the fast until the ordinance is passed. Also police resources and accountability needs to be increased. Really sad that some channels are playing false news that I have broken the fast. Praying to all news channels conscience to kindly not report fake news,” the DCW chief added. (Also Read: Rape Incidents Unfortunate, One or Two Cases Shouldn’t be Hyped: Union Minister Santosh Gangwar)
I will continue the fast until the ordinance is passed. Also police resources and accountability needs to be increased. Really sad that some channels are playing false news that I have broken the fast. Praying to all news channels conscience to kindly not report fake news. https://t.co/AsqDyOApNr
— Swati Maliwal (@SwatiJaiHind) April 21, 2018
In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Maliwal listed out her six demands, which included the passage of the ordinance, recruitment of police personnel as per the United Nations standards and fixing accountability of the police force.
The Union cabinet approved a number of measures to strengthen the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. As per government sources, the cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the promulgation of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018, for effective deterrence against commission of rape, thereby instilling a sense of security among women and especially young girls in the country.
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