New Delhi: Amid ongoing national protests following high-profile cases of violence against women, a new report has identified 151 current Indian MPs and MLAs who are facing charges related to crimes against women. The majority of these lawmakers are from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which accounts for one-third of the cases.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the study, conducted by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and National Election Watch (NEW), examined the election affidavits of most lawmakers, revealing a troubling array of charges. These range from assault with intent to outrage a woman’s modesty to kidnapping, rape, and acts related to the sexual exploitation of minors.
The analysis showed that of those charged, 16 are MPs and 135 are MLAs, with BJP members totaling 54. Geographically, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha have the highest number of lawmakers facing such allegations. This data emerges as the nation grapples with the aftermath of the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata and other distressing incidents of sexual violence.
The report underscores the presence of serious charges among current representatives, including 16 lawmakers with declared cases related to rape, suggesting a systemic issue within the political framework. It calls for urgent legal reforms, including the fast-tracking of court cases involving MPs and MLAs, rigorous police investigations, and greater transparency from political parties regarding the nomination of candidates with criminal backgrounds.