SFI protests Patowary’s statement in House

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Feb 14: The State Committee of the SFI today shouted slogans in full throttle against State Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary’s statement against the students’ body on the floor of the State Assembly on February 13 in connection with the alleged molestation of an SFI member in Jorhat recently.

The incident of the alleged molestation of the girl in Jorhat was raised on the floor of the House by BPF MLA Kamala Basumatary. The MLA demanded security for girl students and women in the State. Reacting to the incident, Patowary said: “An inquiry has already been ordered into the incident. If anybody is found guilty, he won’t be spared. Some SFI members were involved in the incident. Such Leftist students call themselves progressive. This is the handiwork of a section of students who don’t represent the student community of the entire State.” SFI’s state committee president Kashyap Choudhury today said: “The statement made by Patowary is a shallow one. We’re worried that a statement bereft of accountability has come from a responsible minister of the State Government. The bold steps taken by the girl has emboldened thousands of women who have been tolerating such harassment in various areas in the State. The government should’ve taken tough measures against the culprits.”

The SFI demanded of the government that instead of making such statements, it should take tough measures to ensure security of girl students and women in the State. “It should bring about awareness against atrocities on women in society. There should be a helpline in each and every college in the State,” Kashyap said.