Ferreira demands action on women’s safety, slams BJP over rising crime rates
PANAJI: Aldona MLA Adv. Carlos Alvares Ferreira has sought what steps the Government of Goa is going to take and has taken so far for the purpose of the prevention of crime against women and for ensuring the safety of women in public places, which is the need of the hour.
He highlighted the increasing rate of crime against women in Goa and across the country, saying, “In Goa, 2025 figures show 55 rape cases as per NCRB (National Crime Records Bureau). Goa runs three times above the average of 4.48 of the national rate in rape cases. We charge the Goa government for negligence and we demand the government come clean and bring out the action they plan in the interest of women, children, and adult senior citizens who are facing assaults, rapes, or any other crimes in their lives.”
Ferreira said that the Supreme Court recently took suo motu cognisance of crimes against women in Delhi and the NCR region, which is a rarity for the court.
“The women are not safe under the BJP government. It is not just in Goa, but across the country. Nari Shakti—they only have events. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao are just slogans. In Madhya Pradesh, which is headed by the BJP, it is reported to be the number one in crimes against women. On a daily basis, on an average, 88 cases of crimes against women are reported. Rape and assault against women have seen a rise of 19% as per NCRB,” he said.
In Bihar, two minor girls returning home were assaulted and one of the accused is a politically connected son, he said.
“And worse of it, the BJP Bihar CM’s statement was even outrageous, saying if the reel was not made the crime could have never been caught. He should have condemned the incident and assured action,” he said.
“In UP, a BJP-ruled state, a rape accused of drugging and raping a law student, Sushil Prajapati, a former member of the Hindu Yuva Vahini—however, when he was released on bail after 8 to 9 months in jail, he was showered with flower petals and a motorcade to a hero’s welcome. This could not have happened without the backing of the state government or some BJP leader. Is this the type of moral responsibility the BJP is inculcating among citizens?” questioned Ferreira.
Highlighting that when the Nirbhaya incident took place, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi went and met the family and offered compassion, sympathy, and support.
“He even promised to help the brother of the victim with his education, and the family in 2017 thanked Gandhi after the boy became a commercial pilot,” Ferreira said.
“I want to ask the Government of Goa, now that the SC has given certain guidelines in their judgement, do we need a rape to take place before you act? The women or the girls can be our sisters, mothers. Or do we need Supreme Court or High Court intervention to wake up before things become worse?” he said.
Stating that very often women suffer silently and rarely come forward to give complaints due to many personal reasons, there should be sensitivity towards a victim by the police when they approach a police station. Cops need to be sensitised on how to deal with cases, he asserted.
Ferreira also called for security measures, more CCTV surveillance, and live viewing.
“Public places need to be safe 24×7, and there is a need for uniformed and plain-clothes police in such places,” he added.
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