Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray expressed concern on Thursday, stating that if President Droupadi Murmu had spoken out following the Manipur incident, subsequent crimes against women might have been prevented. Thackeray’s remarks were made in response to the President’s recent condemnation of rising violence against women.
On August 29, President Murmu declared “enough is enough,” urging the nation to challenge the mindset that devalues women. She specifically referenced the recent rape and murder of a junior doctor in Kolkata, calling for greater societal protection for women.
Thackeray acknowledged the President’s statement but suggested that an earlier response, particularly after the May 2023 incident in Manipur—where two women were stripped and paraded by a mob—could have prevented further such crimes. The video of the Manipur incident, which surfaced months later, sparked nationwide outrage.
The former Maharashtra Chief Minister also criticized the BJP, accusing the party of employing divisive tactics reminiscent of British colonial policies. Thackeray pointed to the delay in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s response to the Manipur unrest and questioned whether the Prime Minister would address recent incidents of sexual violence in Maharashtra and West Bengal during his upcoming visit to the state.
Thackeray also advocated for the implementation of a ‘Shakti law,’ calling for stringent punishments, including the death penalty, for crimes against women. He raised concerns about the effectiveness of existing laws, questioning their value if those responsible for enforcing them are not held accountable.
