Congress leader Varsha Gaikwad writes to Maharashtra Governor, seeks immediate enactment of Shakti Bill

Mumbai Congress president and MP Varsha Gaikwad has written to Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma seeking urgent intervention over alleged rise in crimes against women and girls in the State and immediate enactment of the Shakti Bill.

In the letter dated May 5, Ms. Gaikwad also urged the Governor to direct the State government to take strict action to curb atrocities against women.

Awaiting assent

The Shakti Criminal Laws (Maharashtra Amendment) Bill, 2020, modelled on the Disha Act of Andhra Pradesh and other similar laws, was passed by both Houses of the State Legislature in 2021 during the tenure of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, the Congress leader said. The Bill is awaiting the President’s assent.

Her request comes amid massive protests over the alleged rape and murder of a four-year-old girl at Nasrapur village in Pune district. “Neither are girls safe in schools nor are women safe in their own homes,” the Mumbai North Central MP stated in the letter.

Ms. Gaikwad also criticised the State government for not having a full-time Home Minister, pointing out that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is holding multiple key portfolios, including Home.

“The absence of a dedicated, full-time Home Minister has placed an unbearable burden on the law and order machinery,” she said.