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India: hundreds of men accused of sexual violence stand in elections India: hundreds of men accused of sexual violence stand in elections
(35 minutes later)
Hundreds of men accused of sexual violence towards women have been allowed to run in Indian elections in the last five years, including more than 30 charged by police with rape. Hundreds of men accused of sexual violence towards women have been allowed to stand in Indian elections in the last five years, including more than 30 charged with rape.
The figures were released in Delhi by the Association for Democratic Reforms, a respected thinktank, and were based on court records and electoral declarations filed by the candidates themselves. The figures were released in Delhi by the Association for Democratic Reforms, a respected thinktank, and were based on court records and electoral declarations filed by the candidates.
Though most of the men concerned were contesting state elections, dozens facing criminal investigations for assault, "outraging the modesty of a woman" and other charges had also been given tickets by major parties to campaign for seats in the national assembly. Although most of the men concerned were contesting state elections, dozens facing criminal investigations for assault, "outraging the modesty of a woman" and other charges had also been given tickets by major parties to campaign for seats in the national assembly.
The news comes as demonstrations across India continue following the gang rape of a 23-year-old physiotherapy student in Delhi on Sunday night.The news comes as demonstrations across India continue following the gang rape of a 23-year-old physiotherapy student in Delhi on Sunday night.
Five men have now been arrested for the attack. The victim, who sustained severe intestinal injuries, remains in a critical condition in hospital. Local media reported that she had regained consciousness but was still extremely weak. Doctors have described the woman as "a fighter".Five men have now been arrested for the attack. The victim, who sustained severe intestinal injuries, remains in a critical condition in hospital. Local media reported that she had regained consciousness but was still extremely weak. Doctors have described the woman as "a fighter".
The issue has dominated the news agenda in India all week, unleashing a wave of anger and shock which has been directed largely at top police officials as well as senior politicians such as Delhi's veteran chief minister, Sheila Dikshit. A large crowd marched to the residence of the president, Pranab Mukherjee.The issue has dominated the news agenda in India all week, unleashing a wave of anger and shock which has been directed largely at top police officials as well as senior politicians such as Delhi's veteran chief minister, Sheila Dikshit. A large crowd marched to the residence of the president, Pranab Mukherjee.
Among the Bollywood celebrities who have expressed dismay was A R Rahman, who composed the soundtrack to Oscar-winning hit Slumdog Millionaire. "If you don't fix it now, it is shame for the nation," he said.Among the Bollywood celebrities who have expressed dismay was A R Rahman, who composed the soundtrack to Oscar-winning hit Slumdog Millionaire. "If you don't fix it now, it is shame for the nation," he said.
Officials attempted to reassure the public.Officials attempted to reassure the public.
"The kind of policing we will have, we will ensure that everyone, men or women, can move freely in any part of Delhi in both day and night," said R K Singh, the most senior civil servant in the Indian Home Ministry."The kind of policing we will have, we will ensure that everyone, men or women, can move freely in any part of Delhi in both day and night," said R K Singh, the most senior civil servant in the Indian Home Ministry.
A particular grievance voiced by protesters and in the media has been the large proportion — around a tenth — of Delhi's 80,000 police officers posted to protect the capital's top officials, politicians and diplomats. In a country as deeply conscious of status as India, the number of armed officers deployed to guard any individual is taken as a key indicator of power and influence.A particular grievance voiced by protesters and in the media has been the large proportion — around a tenth — of Delhi's 80,000 police officers posted to protect the capital's top officials, politicians and diplomats. In a country as deeply conscious of status as India, the number of armed officers deployed to guard any individual is taken as a key indicator of power and influence.
"It is outrageous. They are guarding people who don't need to be guarded while the vulnerable are being left alone," said Ayesha Malik, 31, a housewife who joined the protest."It is outrageous. They are guarding people who don't need to be guarded while the vulnerable are being left alone," said Ayesha Malik, 31, a housewife who joined the protest.
Professor Dipanker Gupta, a sociologist at Shiv Nadar University, Noida, said the response to the attack was in part explained by its brutality and the background of the victim.Professor Dipanker Gupta, a sociologist at Shiv Nadar University, Noida, said the response to the attack was in part explained by its brutality and the background of the victim.
"There is a strong resonance. She doesn't come from a particularly wealthy family. Her parents had sold their land and paid for her education rather than a dowry. The attack happened in a normal part of Delhi, at nine o'clock at night and no one can possibly allege that she was behaving in a way that was 'not in keeping with Indian traditions' and all that junk," Gupta said."There is a strong resonance. She doesn't come from a particularly wealthy family. Her parents had sold their land and paid for her education rather than a dowry. The attack happened in a normal part of Delhi, at nine o'clock at night and no one can possibly allege that she was behaving in a way that was 'not in keeping with Indian traditions' and all that junk," Gupta said.
Claims that rape victims provoked their attackers are frequently made in India.Claims that rape victims provoked their attackers are frequently made in India.
Anil Bairwal, one of the authors of the new report, said the true number of parliamentarians and candidates at both state and national level who were facing charges of sexual violence could be much higher as most attacks on women were registered without reference to the gender of the victim.Anil Bairwal, one of the authors of the new report, said the true number of parliamentarians and candidates at both state and national level who were facing charges of sexual violence could be much higher as most attacks on women were registered without reference to the gender of the victim.
"If the parliamentarians who are discussing these kind of problems have themselves given tickets to people like this then you can legitimately ask if they are serious about punishing this kind of crime," Bairwal said."If the parliamentarians who are discussing these kind of problems have themselves given tickets to people like this then you can legitimately ask if they are serious about punishing this kind of crime," Bairwal said.
High proportions of Indian politicians have often serious criminal charges outstanding against them. Though some charges are undoubtedly unfounded as judicial process is often used to smear political opponents, and the police force in many states is highly corrupt, Indian analysts frequently warn of increasing criminal involvement in politics.High proportions of Indian politicians have often serious criminal charges outstanding against them. Though some charges are undoubtedly unfounded as judicial process is often used to smear political opponents, and the police force in many states is highly corrupt, Indian analysts frequently warn of increasing criminal involvement in politics.
Many of the politicians facing allegations of rape came from populous poverty-stricken northern states with poor records for law and order, such as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. In the most recent national elections, the report said, political parties gave tickets to six candidates who declared they had been charged with rape — though none won seats.Many of the politicians facing allegations of rape came from populous poverty-stricken northern states with poor records for law and order, such as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. In the most recent national elections, the report said, political parties gave tickets to six candidates who declared they had been charged with rape — though none won seats.
Neeraj Kumar, chief commissioner of Delhi, explained the rise in the number of recorded rape complaints in the capital, which has a population of around 15 million, from 564 in 2011 to 661 this year, as due to "more and more women feeling empowered to come forward and lodge reports".Neeraj Kumar, chief commissioner of Delhi, explained the rise in the number of recorded rape complaints in the capital, which has a population of around 15 million, from 564 in 2011 to 661 this year, as due to "more and more women feeling empowered to come forward and lodge reports".