Amid reports of girls being sold on stamp papers in Rajasthan, Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal has written to state Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot to seek a prompt action.
In her letter, DCW chairperson said, “It is reported in a newspaper report that girls as young as eight years old are being openly auctioned on stamp paper in over half a dozen districts of the state. The report has stated that whenever there is a dispute between two parties particularly involving financial transactions and loans, people approach caste-based panchayats to settle the matter.”
“These panchayats settle financial disputes and recover the money by auctioning young girls belonging to the lender families. The girls are then sent to Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Mumbai, Delhi and even abroad and subjected to physical abuse, torture and sexual assault. If the families refuse to sell their girls, their mothers are subjected to rape on the diktats of the local caste panchayats!,” she wrote quoting the report.
Maliwal stated the report has mentioned some of these cases:
First case: Three sisters sold
In one case, a girl informed that her father had taken a loan of Rs 15 lakh. Eventually, when he was unable to pay back the loan, he was forced to sell his sister, then his three daughters and subsequently, a 12-year-old girl of the family who was also sold for Rs 8 lakh. The girl stated that the buyer took her to Madhya Pradesh. She further informed that her father’s loan is still not fully paid.
Second case: Minor sold thrice
Another girl informed that her father had taken a loan for treatment of her mother and grandmother, and when he could not return the loan, he was forced to sell her when she was only 12 years old. She stated that she was taken to Jaipur and Agra and was sold to other buyers on three occasions. She informed that she became pregnant four times, but every time her child was aborted.
Third case: Tried to run, gangraped
In a third case, a girl has stated that she was auctioned when she was 21 years old. She informed that she tried to run away many times but each time, she was caught and gang raped.
Maliwal mentioned it is a serious matter and recommended to the state government chief minister, “Firstly, strong directions must be issued to the Police to ensure strictest action in the matter against those involved in these criminal activities. Secondly, steps must be taken against the public servant(s)/ officials who have allowed such criminals to prosper and failed to do their duty to protect the women and girls of the state. Thirdly, steps should be taken to ensure that such incidents no longer take place in the state.”
“Finally, the girls that have been sold in the past must be tracked immediately. Once they have been located, steps must be taken by the Government for their rescue and rehabilitation. This is one of the most shocking and painful cases and this racket is probably being run by influential people. I look forward to a prompt action by your Hon’ble self,” she concluded.
Shocking statement :
Rajasthan’s congress leader in a TV show gave a shocking statement on the matter.
Varun Purhoit argued this is because of economic imbalance due to centre’s capitalist policies. If inflation and poverty are not stopped, these incidents can not be controlled. It (this issue) is a pan-India problem.”
BJP slams state cong government:
BJP MP from Jaipur Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said, ”Rajasthan tops the whole country in terms of crime against women. Around 400 daughters are going missing in Rajasthan in a month. This anarchy and jungle raj which is going on in Rajasthan is unbearable. The BJP warns the Congress government and all those responsible for this that we will not tolerate this.”
While CM Gehlot told the media the incident happened in 2005 at the time the BJP was in power. He added when the congress returned to power in 2019, it exposed it.