Pardon us for one murder: Indian politician requests women be granted immunity from prosecution

A politician from Maharashtra has requested Indian President Draupadi Murmu that women in India be allowed immunity from prosecution to commit one murder, given the rising cases of atrocities committed against women in the country.

Rohini Khadse Khewalkar, currently the women’s wing president of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) wrote a letter to the President of India on International Women’s Day and it has led to furious debates in all the circles. 

In her letter, Khadse points to the rising number of violent crimes against women, including rape, domestic violence and other forms of abuse being reported daily in the country. She has cited that there is a complete failure of the legal system and law enforcement and said we can no longer ensure the safety of the women in the country.

“We, on behalf of all women, are demanding immunity to commit one murder,” Khadse said in the letter.

A postgraduate in law from Pune University, Rohini Khadse is not a political novice clamouring for attention. Coming from a political family the 42-year-old is the daughter of former BJP leader and Maharashtra minister Eknath Khadse who was once a strong contender for the post of Maharashtra Chief Minister. However, he was later toppled by a younger Devendra Fadnavis, the current CM, with all the blessing of the BJP central leadership.

Rohini has also served as President of Jalgaon District Cooperative Bank. While the BJP sidelined her father due to corruption allegations, Rohini was given a chance by the party. She contested the 2019 elections from the Muktainagar constituency on a BJP ticket but lost to Shiv Sena’s Chandrakant Patil. The mother of two is married to Pune doctor Pranjal Khewalkar.

In her letter, she has listed the recent crimes against women including the recent gang-rape of a 12-year-old girl in Mumbai’s Jogeswari. 

Here’s the full text of the request translated from Marathi.

To

Honorable Draupadi Murmu

President, India

Subject: Regarding forgiving a murder

Madam,

Today, women are largely unsafe in the country. The incidents of atrocities on women are increasing with each passing day. Just two days ago, a 12-year-old girl was gang-raped in the country's financial capital, Mumbai. Madam President, 12-year-old! Think about what the situation would be like?

We read in the news that the World Population Review Survey has recently come out. This survey has mentioned various countries in the world that are unsafe for women. According to this survey, India has been said to be the most unsafe country in the Asian continent.

This includes kidnapping of women, cases of disappearance of women, domestic violence, and other serious issues, so we demand on behalf of all women that you forgive us for one murder.

We want to kill the oppressive mentality, the rapist tendency, the inactive law and order. Madam, when our state and country were in crisis, Maharani Tara Rani, Punya Shlok Ahilya Devi Holkar had drawn their swords, so why should we lag behind in improving our society?

We hope that you will consider our demand and accept it. We will consider this as your gift to us on International Women's Day.

Thank you!

Mrs. Rohini Khadse Khewalkar

State President, Nationalist Mahila Congress Party (Sharad Chandra Pawar)