Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the Lakhpati Didi Sammelan in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, made a strong statement on women’s safety, declaring that crimes against women are an “unforgivable sin.” PM Modi emphasized the need for strict action against offenders and those who aid them.
“Today, I want to once again tell every political party in the country and the state government that crimes against women are an unforgivable sin. The guilty must not be spared, and those who assist them in any way should also face consequences,” the Prime Minister stated.
He highlighted the importance of accountability across institutions, urging that negligence in ensuring women’s safety, whether in hospitals, schools, offices, or police systems, should be addressed firmly.
PM Modi assured the public that his government is committed to delivering swift justice for crimes against women. He pointed out the introduction of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) to remove delays in justice, particularly in registering FIRs and processing cases. “Our government is continuously making laws stricter to impose the harshest punishment on those who commit atrocities against women,” he said.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the e-FIR facility, enabling women to file complaints from home without visiting police stations. “If the victim does not want to go to the police station, she can register an e-FIR from home. We have ensured that no one can tamper with the e-FIR at the police station level,” he added.
The speech comes amid nationwide outrage following the rape and murder of a junior doctor at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital, leading to growing demands for better protection of women.
In addition to addressing women’s safety, PM Modi facilitated 11 lakh new Lakhpati Didis at the event. The Lakhpati Didi initiative, under the Ministry of Rural Development, aims to empower women associated with self-help groups (SHGs) by helping them achieve a household income of at least one lakh rupees.
During the event, the Prime Minister also released a revolving fund of ₹2,500 crore to benefit 48 lakh members of 4.3 lakh SHGs and disbursed ₹5,000 crore in bank loans, assisting 25.8 lakh members of 2.35 lakh SHGs. Since its launch, the Lakhpati Didi Yojana has already helped one crore women achieve this income target, with the government aiming to support 3 crore Lakhpati Didis in total.