'Home Guards' providing security to Kargil martyr's daughter: DCW chief

New Delhi: Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal on Monday said 'DCW Home Guards' were providing security to the Kargil martyr's daughter, who complained of receiving "rape threats" allegedly from ABVP members.

Earlier in the day, Gurmehar Kaur (20), a Delhi University student, met Maliwal and alleged that she had been receiving rape threats on social media allegedly by ABVP members.

Maliwal, who termed the act "shameful", wrote to Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik demanding that an FIR be registered against the "abusers" and security be provided to the girl and her family.

"Presently, DCW Home Guards providing protection to Gurmehar Kaur. We will be with her 24*7. Hope Delhi Police urgently gives her protection," the women's panel chief tweeted.

Kaur, daughter of Kargil martyr Captain Mandeep Singh, had started the campaign "I am not afraid of ABVP" following violence at Ramjas college. The campaign had gone viral and received massive support from students across universities.

In a letter written to the Delhi Police Commissioner, Maliwal stated, "She (Kaur) has been subjected to extreme abuse and rape threats online. Her complaint is self-explanatory and contains relevant screen shots of rape threats and abuse as evidence.

"Considering the gravity of the situation and the threats received, it is recommended that the girl and her family be provided police protection and an FIR be immediately registered against the abusers," she said.

"It is highly unfortunate and shameful that a strong and independent young girl is being threatened and abused for taking a stand against hooligans. It is deeply perturbing that the threats appear to have silent support of some celebrities and leaders as well," she added.

Kaur had last week changed her Facebook profile picture into one holding a placard reading, "I am a student from Delhi University. I am not afraid of ABVP. I am not alone. Every student of India is with me. #StudentsAgainstABVP."

Her classmates and peers started sharing the post, prompting students from various varsities across the country to change their profile pictures with similar placards.

However, former cricketer Virender Sehwag and Bollywood actor Randeep Hooda today criticised the literature student's remarks, calling her a "political pawn".

Responding to the critics, Kaur told PTI, "I am really disappointed with the statements about my campaign, especially from 'famous' people who are questioning my nationalism. Two things I want to clarify is that they do not understand my idea of patriotism and this student campaign is not a political movement."

"It is about students and our campuses being safe from violent threats and it does not matter what organisation it comes from. Nobody can threaten rape to any one. No matter where he comes from and what his background is," she added.

Ramjas college had last week witnessed large-scale violence between members of the AISA and the ABVP. The genesis of the clash was an invite to JNU students Umar Khalid and Shehla Rashid to address a seminar on 'Culture of Protests', which was withdrawn by the college authorities following opposition by ABVP.

The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) had also ordered an inquiry into the alleged attacks on women by policemen during the violence and issued a notice to the Delhi Police in this regard.