Jammu, Apr 18: President Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday condemned the brutal gang-rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua, saying such incidents happening even after 70 years of Independence is “shameful”.
Addressing the sixth convocation of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) at Katra in Jammu, the President said the safety of children is the responsibility of the society as a whole.
“After 70 years of Independence, such an incident occurring in any part of the country is shameful. We have to think about what kind of a society we are developing. It is our responsibility to ensure such a thing does not happen to any girl or woman,” the President said.
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, too, questioned what was wrong with the society. She said, “How can someone do such a cruel thing to a small girl who is a manifestation of Mata Vaishno Devi? There is something wrong with the society.”
The rape and murder of the eight-year-old girl, who belonged to a nomadic community, took place in January. Her body was found a week later. The charge-sheet accused eight persons of conspiring, brutalising and murdering the girl and revealed chilling details that triggered nationwide outrage.
Over 880 scholars received their degrees and merit certificates at the ceremony. Founder & Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, Sunil Bharti Mittal and Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Munjal Auto Engineering Ltd, Sudhir Munjal were conferred honorary Doctorate by SMVDU on the occasion.
Later Governor N N Vohra, briefed the President Kovind regarding all important issues relating to the State.
A Raj Bhavan spokesperson said that among other matters, Governor briefed the President about the external security situation; the obtaining and emerging internal security environment; status of various important socio-economic development schemes and programmes; issues relating to the functioning of the administrative apparatus; growing incidence of corruption; impact of social media and enhancing radicalisation; and the challenges facing the school education and health sectors.
“Governor also informed Rashtrapati ji about issues relating to higher education and functioning of the Universities in the State,” the spokesperson said.
