Neena Gupta Calls For Action On Women's Safety After Kolkata Incident

Neena Gupta, a seasoned actor, has highlighted the urgent need for solutions to ensure women's safety. She expressed her dismay over the alleged rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital last week. Gupta mentioned that she has been deeply contemplating the issue of women's safety in recent days.

Gupta emphasised that merely condemning such crimes is not enough; actionable solutions are necessary. "Condemning it (the crime) is okay, but we need a solution. What could the solution be? Ours is a large country. Every state, district, region or village will have committees where they (women) work, do surveillance and file a report," she stated.

The actor illustrated her point by discussing the challenges faced by women in rural areas. "For example, a teacher in a village perhaps has to walk many kilometres in the evening or at night before she gets back (home)... So, those ladies who go for surveillance, they are also at risk. I thought a lot but couldn't find any solution. It will take a long time for society to change," Gupta told PTI.

Gupta referred to the 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' scheme, which aims to tackle gender discrimination and promote women's empowerment in India. She pointed out that while education is crucial, ensuring safety at workplaces is equally important. "After 'Beti Padhao', beti (daughter) will also go to work, right? She is not safe even when she is working. ('Beti Padhao' ke baad beti kaam toh karegi na padhaaoge toh. Kaam karegi toh (bhi) safe nahi hai.) So, I want to ask what is the solution," she added.

Recently, Neena Gupta was honoured with the best supporting actress National Award for her performance in the 2022 Hindi film "Uunchai". This accolade marks her second win in this category following her 1994 victory for "Woh Chhokri".

Gupta's reflections underscore the ongoing struggle for women's safety and highlight the need for comprehensive measures to protect women across all sectors of society.