Governor Criticizes West Bengal’s ‘Kanyashree’ Program Following Rape and Murder of Minor Girl
The Governor of West Bengal, CV Ananda Bose, has expressed his outrage over the alleged rape and murder of a young girl in Siliguri, West Bengal. In a press conference, he criticized Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s flagship girl-child empowerment scheme, ‘Kanyashree,’ stating that there cannot be a successful program like Kanyashree without ensuring the safety and protection of girl children.
Kanyashree Prakalpa is a program aimed at improving the well-being of girls, particularly those from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. It provides conditional cash transfers to support their education and overall development. However, the recent incident has raised serious concerns about the effectiveness of the program in protecting vulnerable girls.
Expressing his grief over the tragedy, Governor Bose emphasized the need for society to prioritize the safety of girl children. He stated, We lost a young angel in a very cruel manner. This should never happen to any girl child, not just in Bengal but anywhere. I feel guilty.
The Governor and the Mamata Banerjee government have had disagreements on various issues, particularly following the state Panchayat polls, which were allegedly marked by violence. However, Governor Bose urged everyone not to play politics with the tragic incident at hand. He called on the government to take decisive action and requested civil society to support these efforts.
The body of the minor girl was discovered in a wooded area in Matigara last week. Police found a brick at the scene, which was presumably used to crush her head. The suspect was arrested from his residence and is now in police custody for a period of two weeks.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Abhishek Gupta, the minor girl was attacked and killed while returning home from school. The accused allegedly attempted to sexually assault her before committing the crime.
This devastating incident has sparked outrage and demands for justice from various quarters. It highlights the urgent need for stronger measures to ensure the safety and security of girls in West Bengal. The case serves as a painful reminder that even with schemes like Kanyashree in place, there is still much work to be done to create a society free from such heinous crimes.
As the authorities investigate the case and attempt to deliver justice to the victim, the focus now turns towards comprehensive measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. This tragic event should serve as a catalyst for systematic changes to protect the lives and dignity of girl children, not just in West Bengal but across the nation.
The article concludes with a reminder that the priority must be the safety and well-being of every child. It is a collective responsibility to stand against any form of violence or abuse and ensure that every girl has the opportunity to thrive in a safe and nurturing environment.
