Tollywood actress Rajasree joins Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal on the eight-day of her hunger strike against recent Unnao and Kathua rape cases, in New Delhi on Friday. (PTI Photo)
NEW DELHI, APRIL 20 (IANS): As the central government proposed the death penalty for rapists of children younger than 12, Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chairperson Swati Maliwal, who went without food for the eighth day on Friday, said she won't end her fast until the law comes into force.
As a mark of protest against the rape incidents in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua and Uttar Pradesh's Unnao, 33-year-old Maliwal began her hunger strike last week at Rajghat demanding immediate implementation of a stringent law for convicted rapists.
"Every day affidavits are submitted in courts by the government. Unless the law comes into enforcement, I won't stop. The law has to be death penalty within six months to those convicted for raping minors," she said.
Earlier in the day, the central government told the Supreme Court that it is proposing the maximum punishment of death penalty for the rapists of children younger than 12.
After this, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted: "Congratulations Swati Maliwal. You should now end the fast. We all should now work towards effective implementation of these laws and keep working towards rest of the demands."
Centre, in its letter, submitted to Supreme Court, says it has started process to amend POCSO Act to ensure maximum punishment of death penalty in child rape cases between the age group of 0-12. Further hearing on April 27, reports ANI
To this, Maliwal said she respects Kejriwal's request but will not end her hunger strike.
