Kejriwal urges Maliwal to end hunger strike

However, the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chairperson said she will continue her fast till the Centre sets a timeline for implementation of the amendments and sends notice to the Finance Department seeking the status of the proposals to increase the police force in Delhi police.

"I have urged her to rethink the decision of continuing the hunger strike. I think her life is very important to decide the future of the fight for the rights of women of our country. We are with her," Kejriwal said after his meeting Maliwal.

For the past eight days, Maliwal has been on a hunger strike at Rajghat, demanding death penalty to the perpetrators in the Kathua and Unnao rape incidents.

"If PM Modi could implement demonetisation in a single night, he can ensure a system for women's safety as well," the DCW chief had said on the third day of her strike.

"Every day, affidavits are submitted in courts by the government. Unless the law comes into force, I won't stop. The law has to be death penalty within six months to those convicted of raping minors," she said.

Members of the civil society also extended support to Maliwal, strongly and unequivocally condemning the brutality of the rapes. However, they also appealed her to end her hunger strike, saying there was no evidence to suggest that death penalty is a deterrent to rape.

"Death penalty is often used to distract attention away from the real issue; it changes nothing, but becomes a tool in the hands of the state to further exert its power over its citizens. A huge set of changes are required in the system to end the widespread and daily culture of rape," noted an activist.

Maliwal has also urged the Centre to use the Nirbhaya Fund to boost police presence and setting up fast-track courts to tackle the increasing number of rape cases against women and children.