151 MPs and MLAs Accused of Crimes Against Women, 16 Rape Cases: How Can Women Trust the Law When Lawmakers Are Lawbreakers?

In the wake of the horrific rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor in Kolkata, a damning report has emerged, shedding light on a deeply troubling reality within India's political landscape. The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has revealed startling statistics that challenge the very foundation of trust between citizens and their elected representatives.

ADR Report on Crime Against Women

The ADR report, based on an examination of 4,693 affidavits submitted to the Election Commission of India between 2019 and 2024, paints a grim picture. A staggering 151 sitting MPs and MLAs have declared cases related to crimes against women. Even more disturbing, 16 lawmakers, including 2 MPs and 14 MLAs, face rape charges.

West Bengal tops the list with 25 accused lawmakers, followed by Andhra Pradesh with 21 and Odisha with 17. These figures not only shock the conscience but also raise serious questions about the integrity of our political system.

BJP Tops The List: Report

The BJP leads with 54 MPs and MLAs accused of crimes against women, followed by Congress with 23 and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) with 17. Both BJP and Congress have 5 sitting lawmakers each facing rape charges. These numbers highlight a systemic issue that transcends party lines.

The ADR's findings have sparked outrage and demands for immediate reform. The organisation is calling for fast-tracking court cases against accused MPs and MLAs and urging political parties to deny tickets to candidates with criminal backgrounds. They are also appealing to voters to reject candidates facing charges of crimes against women.

This fervour has been echoed on social media, where users are rallying for accountability and transparency in the political system, with many calling for a zero-tolerance approach towards criminal elements in politics.

151 Sitting MPs and MLAs Face Charges for Crimes Against Women, Including 16 Accused of Rape: ADR Report Raises Alarming Concerns

A shocking report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has revealed a disturbing reality within the Indian political landscape: 151…

— Kumaon Jagran (@KumaonJagran) August 21, 2024

"16 MPs and 135 MLAs have declared cases related to crime against women"
2 MPs and 14 MLAs have cases related to rape.(Source:ADR report)
So instead of doing "men vs women" on sm try to find out why crimes against women had been taken lightly in the past. 🤷‍♂️
Be Rational 😑

— xyz(inactive) (@tweetforfun26) August 22, 2024

At least 151 sitting MPs and MLAs face cases of crimes against women, 16 charged with rape: ADR

Is it a surprise then our country witnesses the most brutal and heinous rapes — four every hour; the victim often being murdered?

And these are just the reported cases. A larger… pic.twitter.com/LtQHYyrrzn

— Rajendra Kumbhat (@Enraged_Indian) August 22, 2024

The revelations in this report strike at the heart of our democracy. How can women trust a system where those meant to protect them are among the accused? The stark reality is that 151 individuals entrusted with making our laws stand accused of breaking them in the most heinous ways.

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This isn't just a failure of individual morality; it's a systemic rot that threatens the very fabric of our society. The presence of lawmakers facing rape charges in our parliament and state assemblies is not just a statistic – it's a betrayal of every citizen's trust.

It's time for a national reckoning. We must demand better from our political parties, our justice system, and ourselves as voters. The path to change begins with accountability, and it's high time we held our elected representatives to the highest standards of integrity and respect for women's rights.

The question now is not just about law and order, but about the very soul of our nation. Will we continue to allow this travesty of justice, or will we rise to reclaim the dignity and safety that every woman in this country deserves?

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Image Courtesy: ADR Report & Freepik