Pawan Kumar Bansal, former Union Minister and former city MP has said that the police should steer clear of any political or administrative pressure and act wholly independently in investigating the recent stalking case of a girl in Chandigarh. Its own credibility is at stake, Bansal said in a statement.

Bansal said that the Chandigarh stalking case is a very unfortunate incident, especially in a city which is otherwise considered safe.

He further said there was no feeling of remorse shown by the accused or his family and instead efforts are being made to influence the police and shame the girl for venturing out at night. He also said that the Beti Bachao campaign of the BJP is just a sham to get publicity by faking empathy with women but the reality is that the party and its leaders are driven by a patriarchal mindset.

He said that as equal citizens, women have all rights to go wherever and whenever they wish to and nobody, however well connected, to harass, pass lewd remarks or outrage their modesty simply because they are out at night or alone.

Taking note of the report about high number of such incidents against women, Bansal said that it is a matter of grave concern for the residents of Chandigarh. Chandigarh has been one of the safest cities in the country for women. They can move about freely here and the increase in cases of crime against women tarnishes that fair image.

He also criticised the BJP leaders who have tried to tarnish the image of the girl by uploading some fake photographs on social media.

He added that it is very upsetting that despite all the evidence in place, police are not taking any action. He lauded the decision of city girls to organise a Bekhauf Azaadi march on the city roads to reclaim the roads. He said it is a good initiative and will motivate and strengthen the will power of those who have been unfortunate victims of such traumatising incidents in the past. The whole issue of gender equality needs to be brought prominently in the public domain, Bansal added.