The incidents of Badaun in UP, where two girls were raped, murdered and then hanged, have shocked the people living here. People find it difficult to face fellow workers from other countries when asked about rise in crime against women in India.

Mr Vinod Ghildyal, who had been national president of Washington Press Club, said that the reported statements from Samajwadi Party national president Mulayam Singh Yadav on rape that boys do commit mistakes was all the more shocking. Mr Vinod Ghildyal said that Indians living in US were extremely disturbed by the growing incidents of violence against women in India.

Prominent leader of Democrat Party and important office-bearer of the Indian American Leadership Council also condemned the incidents of violence against women in India. Dr Kamla Edward said that people living in US were optimistic that new Prime Minister Narendra Modi will ensure that effective measures would be taken to safeguard the interests of women in India. She further said that Mr Narendra Modi should follow his assurance of zero percent tolerance towards crime against women.

Mr A Sinha, who is living in US for more then two decades now, said that it was matter of shame that the day US government condemned the rise in crime against women, the militants shot dead a woman in Meghalaya after locking her children and husband in the room. He further said that the issue of crime against women was in India so serious and alarming that UN secretary general also condemned the incidents called for immediate steps.

There have been protests in various universities in US where Indian students came out in open and marched against crime against women in India. These students too demanded strict laws to deal with such brutality.

Indians living in US also fear that adverse image of India due to rise in crime against women would also negatively affect tourism in the country. They also cite the report prepared by World Travel and Tourism Council after the series of incidents of rape and molestation taking place in India. The report says that such incidents would seriously affect the tourism sector in India.

The former president of USIBC Mr Ron Somers who had led delegation from prominent businessmen to UP and other states said that there was need for double down on law and order front in India that authorities should implement law and order and protect women from crime against them.

Prominent Indian economists based in US fear that any deterioration in law and order and the resultant adverse image of the country on the issue of women’s safety would affect the investment by corporate companies in US.

Indian community feel that it should be the top priority of Narendra Modi government to ensure that prompt action is taken to check the crime against women in India. (IPA)