Jodhpur Jan 3 (UNI) Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has said that in a democracy there is a need to be sensitive to the feelings of those who protest. Mr Gehlot was speaking at the inauguration function of the student's union of Kamla Nehru College for Women, Jodhpur. He said that protest demonstrations should take place in a democracy and slogans such as 'long live' and 'death to' should co exist. He felt that there is a need to understand the feelings that are expressed during protest demonstrations.
Gehlot said that lathicharge, 'go to Pakistan', 'we will take revenge' are not the sort of reaction that are expected of the government in a democracy. There ought to be a dialogue on the demands of the protestors and solutions should be found as per the feelings of the protestors. He said that Pakistan split after its formation. He said former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi prevented Khalisthan from being formed and she sacrificed herself for the sake of the nation. He said that the name of Pakistan is being taken again and again where the Former President Pervez Musharraf has been sentenced to death. He stressed that Pakistan cannot be compared to India.
Highlighting the need for women empowerment, he said that the country cannot progress until women are empowered. He felt that the 'Purdah' is a big impediment to the progress of women and when the veil goes women would be able to progress. He said the the police would provide self defence training to women so that they are able to defend themselves. He stressed that his government has resolved to fight impoverishment, atrocities and injustice in the state. Emphasising that his government is committed to women's security he said that the state government has already taken the decision to assign a Police Superintendent to look into the cases of sexual offences.