What promises do you expect from a former female cop who is trying to get elected as the Chief Minister of Delhi? Women’s issues? Women’s safety? Well, thus far, Kiran Bedi has delivered along predictable lines. Only a day ago, Bedi took to the micro-blogging site, Twitter, to tweet out her 25-point action plan, that she self-titled, #KiransBlueprint. The action plan is almost completely on issues of women’s safety with pointers that only a cop familiar with the inadequacies in the police system could give. Having said that, we at iDiva, would like to express our appreciation to all the three political parties contesting in this election for taking up women’s issues as their primary poll plank, even if it has been largely cosmetic.
But coming back to Bedi’s action plan, while the intent is admirable, there isn’t much that is new about this blueprint. Many others before her have announced similar intentions, and it is very likely that others after her will continue to do so. But there are a couple of them which certainly deserve consideration.
Overall the plan is divided into preventive, corrective and review measures. There isn’t much that is new in the preventive measures which includes points like increased patrolling, CCTVs in public areas, more ladies special buses, security escorts on public transport et al. These have been spoken about and implemented too, although ineffectively. But we do like the fact that she speaks about promoting a ‘safe and healthy nightlife by strengthening patrolling in entertainment hubs. We like the fact that she has highlighted it without going all medieval on women and suggesting they stay at home. So kudos to that!
Another good idea in her action plan is her promise to distribute safety kits to women that includes pepper spray and whistles, as well as implement martial arts training in colleges. Also publicising punishments for crime against women was another point she mentioned.
Many of the corrective measures that she listed are already in place. For instance, the 24-hour distress call helpline, that was set up by Sheila Dikshit after the Nirbhaya rape incident. Or ‘fast track courts’ that she tweeted, but everybody knows fast track courts have been in use for over a decade now. Perhaps she could be more specific in this regard.
What is much appreciated is her inclusion of ‘Sensitive handling of medical & other tests related to crimes on women-hospitals to be trained, special cells organized.'(sic) Considering the rough handling that many rape victims face at the hands of even the women police and the forensic examiner, this is a welcome move. Perhaps this could be expanded to include state-of-the-art forensic examination kits, because it makes all the difference in tracing the offenders.
Also, another pertinent point that she makes is ‘All existing private SOS apps on mobile apps (such as that of the radio taxis and other apps) to be linked to Delhi Police.’ (sic) This one is obviously in context of the Uber rape case, but this too would be a welcome move. It is high time we started using technology big time to enforce safety and catch culprits.
There isn’t much that is eye catching among her review measures which includes the likes of regular outreach within constituency by MLAs and regular meetings of the 6Ps(Parents, Politician, Police, Prosecution, Prison and Press) with the CM to strengthen the security set up. We all know how much of a farce this will eventually turn out to be.
But regardless of how pertinent or interesting her action plan is, it isn’t even worth the 3G charges she paid while tweeting them, unless it is actually implemented – fully and effectively. So here’s hoping once again like in every election, that we actually elect someone who implements his/her poll promises. But nobody can promise that such a person even exists or will actually be elected.
Image Courtesy: BCCL
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