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| If minister trivialises modesty, violence against women will result | | The post does not make him "extra-constitutional" authority | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Mar 14: If a public representative, enjoying the status of a minister (it is a different issue how he has again risen to this post when he was almost a forgotten person in J&K), indulges in trivialising the modesty of a lady doctor by his "unpleasant" and "rude" remarks, violence against women is going to be the likely result.
Like water, discipline also percolates from the higher to the lower level. Lal Singh, who deserted Congress, which had given him an identity in J&K politics, and joined BJP with the only motive of becoming a minister, holds the top post in health department. He is nowadays under severe criticism from civil society members and medical fraternity ever since he allegedly misbehaved with Dr Gurmeet Kour, registrar of psychiatric hospital, in a hospital function early this week for not wearing an apron. Indiscipline is likely to percolate from him to his subordinates.
His behaviour was unbecoming of a minister and did not suit a public servant. Dr Kour was right when she said that apron served a psychological barrier between a doctor and a patient. As doctors in a psychiatric hospital are easily identifiable from their aprons, they are generally advised not to wear them to avoid unexpected assaults on them by the mentally disturbed patients.
By allegedly misbehaving with the lady doctor, Lal Singh has disgraced BJP too, especially when prime minister Narender Modi has been day in, day out emphasising the urgent need for "Beti Bachao" initiatives and providing protection to womenfolk in the country.
As police have not registered FIR against Lal Singh on Dr Kour's written complaint against him, she is all set to move court for a direction to police to file a case against him.
As a minister, he was supposed to talk to the lady doctor in a well behaved manner and set an example for others of showing respect to women when crime against them is already on the rise. But he chose the other way. Instead of speaking to the lady doctor in a dignified manner, he caused her mental agony by allegedly insulting her in full public view.
How can he behave like this? He too is governed by the law by which a commoner is governed. The minister's post does not make him extra-constitutional authority. He must understand that as a minister, he has a greater responsibility towards the society. If he cannot become a role model, he should also not have shown disrespect to the lady doctor. The incident shows that instead of speaking to the doctor in a logical way, he unreasonably gave vent to his anger.
BJP high command needs to take this incident seriously and give the same treatment to Lal Singh as was given to a health minister in the erstwhile NC-Congress government when he had shown "disrespect" to a senior lady doctor.
The so-called Jammu leaders and champions of women's cause who have become "deaf and dumb" over the issue of integrity of a lady doctor.
Devinder Singh Rana (NC leader and MLA)
In the past, this man has in public speeches taken the excessive pride for his pro-Jammu approach and respect for women. But all his assertions seem to hollow now. When the real opportunity came to him, he preferred to keep mum. Lal Singh allegedly showed disrespect to Dr Gurmeet but he neither criticised the minister nor uttered any word to show sympathy with the lady doctor. In 365 days of the year, he issues 300 press notes. In 290 of them, he calls BJP a communal party. But on the issue of Lal Singh allegedly making a disrespectful remark on the lady doctor, he has not bothered to issue a press note. May be because of his proximity with the minister.
Deepika Thusoo (Voice for Rights Association)
Being a lady herself, she has been very vocal in speaking against those who do not respect women. In press conferences also, she would express concern over the safety of women and ask the people to show respect to them. She would also not mix words in criticising those who disgrace women for one reason or the other. But over the issue of Lal Singh "disgracing" Dr Gurmeet Kour in a hospital function a few days back, she too has gone into hibernation.
BJP Mahila Morcha activists
BJP Mahila Morcha activists were often seen on the city roads, holding anti-government protests over discrimination with Jammu and safety of women. They have also led several protests in Jammu, displaying "Nari Shakti" and asking society to respect women. Now, when their own party minister is involved in the alleged incident of insulting a lady doctor, they have become mute. Their silence now speaks of their insincerity then. Had they been really serious towards the issues of women, they would have definitely come forward now to assail Lal Singh and demand his ouster.
Rajiv Mahajan (Ram Sena chief)
An ex-land developer, this man unsuccessfully tried to come into the limelight by raising pro-Jammu issues and the issues concerning the safety and integrity of women in the state. He fully (mis)used the Ram Sena platform to project himself as a leader of Jammu and an activist of the women's rights. However, over the health minister's allegedly condemnable behaviour with the lady doctor, he did not say anything. His silence raises many questions on the statements made by him in the past.
Ravinder Sharma (JKPCC spokesman)
Otherwise known for his politeness in political circles, this man would not tolerate disrespect to women. He too has not come forward in assailing Lal Singh for "outraging the lady doctor's modesty". It seems as if he is still suffering from the hangover of his crushing defeat in the last assembly polls in the state.
Arun Gupta (Ex-BJP spokesperson)
Before his party came into power in J&K in alliance with PDP, this man would rush to media and give press conferences over a variety of issues related to the alleged discrimination with Jammu. But over the issue of "disgracing a woman" in public by the overbearing health minister, he has maintained a total silence. The champion of women's cause in J&K preferred to keep mum when one such real issue came before him. |
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