Kolkata, March 13 (IANS) Condoling the death of the Park Street rape survivor, CPI-M leader Brinda Karat on Friday said the woman's decision to reveal her identity resonated at a time when rape victims continued to be blamed for what happened to them.
In a statement, the politburo member also called upon West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to ensure that the culprits were punished and to support the two school-going children of the victim who succumbed to encephalitis.
The 40-year-old from the Anglo-Indian community died early Friday following multiple organ failure while suffering from encephalitis.
Coming out of a night club in Park Street, the woman was allegedly raped at gunpoint inside a moving car in February 2012.
"Her decision to reveal her own identity rejecting the "Park Street victim" tag, with the words 'why should I hide my identity? I am not the criminal, I am fighting and I will fight (for justice)' resonates strongly today when victims continue to be blamed for what happened to them," the CPI-M leader added.
Karat said her shocking and sudden death would "sadden all those committed to the struggle against violence against women".
The mother of two revealed her identity in 2013 and marched on the streets of Kolkata to protest a series of rapes and murders in the state.
Pointing out to Banerjee's calling the incident "fabricated", Karat said: "Mamata Banerjee refused to apologise even after the police investigation subsequently substantiated charge of rape.
"With her death, it is incumbent on the West Bengal government to ensure that the accused are punished.
"The government should also take appropriate measures to support and help her school going children as she was the only breadwinner in the family," Karat added.
In IPL 2022, the match between Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad was played on Tuesday. Ra
WPI: Wholesale inflation eases to 4.95% in December, impact of fall in prices of food items
India's wholesale price inflation eased from 5.85% in November to 4.95% in December 2022, mainly
Coronavirus Guidelines: Corona cases in India have once again started increasing rapidly. In the
Layoffs: Retrenchment continues in companies, now PepsiCo is planning to sack hundreds of employees
After Twitter, Amazon, and Facebook, now PepsiCo company is also planning to lay off employees. P
Police have arrested a person who duped youth in the name of police recruitment by becoming a fak
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal filed a bail plea in Rouse Avenue Court, a hearing will be held at 2 pm
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, accused in the money laundering case related to the excise
India helped maintain political stability in Bangladesh, Hasina's minister told how
A Bangladesh minister believes that India has helped maintain political stability in his country.
After the stampede in Prayagraj during the Mahakumbh, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav reviewed
Punjab Kings will face Gujarat Titans in the match of IPL 2022 today. This match will be played a
Indian Cancer Society (ICS), India's largest cancer-fighting NGO, celebrated World Cancer Day by