AMIDST widespread protests over sexual assault cases in Kolkata and Badlapur, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that the Center was strengthening laws to ensure punishment for crime against women. According to him, women’s safety is the country’s top priority, and punishment must be ensured for the perpetrators and their protectors. Now, hope is that the PM’s hard words work effectively, not as a mere assurance but as a strong message to the system.

Maharashtra, in particular, has been restive over the heinous crime and its socio-political aftermath ahead of the Assembly elections for which Sunday’s rally proved to be a campaign kickstarter. The BJP-led Mahayuti government has been resting its hopes of retaining power with the welfare and cash assistance scheme for women. The state’s ‘ladki bahin’ scheme is being debated for its political gains, and so is the Centre’s ‘lakhpati didi’. Critics have been saying that the safety of women should be the topmost priority. PM Modi agreed.