New Delhi: After Uttar Pradesh, the anti-Romeo squad could be stalking the streets of the national capital. The BJP West Delhi Lok Sabha MP, Parvesh Verma, on Saturday pushed for setting up of “anti-Romeo squads.”
With the Delhi police falling under the Centre, a section of BJP leaders are all set to push for setting up the squads, apparently for the “safety of women.”
Addressing Delhi BJP’s booth level workers meet at Ramlila Maidan, Mr Verma on Saturday said that “anti-Romeo squads” should be formed in the city too as women are harassed and teased at night and feel insecure.
Praising Uttar Pradesh chief minister Adityanath Yogi for the initiative, Mr Verma, the son of former Delhi chief minister and Union minister late Sahib Singh Verma, said “The chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, Adityanath Yogi, is doing exemplary work. It has been only a week in the government and illegal slaughterhouses are sealed. Boys, who used to harass and tease girls, are sitting at home.” Talking about the importance of “anti-Romeo squads,” Mr Verma said that it has become necessary for the safety and security of women. “These boys roam around girls’ schools, colleges, and streets. BJP’s district and block level women workers should help police to identify the areas and road stretches where these boys roam around for deployment of the “anti-Romeo squads.” The formation of “anti-Romeo squads” will let our daughters and sisters venture out at night and they will feel safe and secure,” he said.
Criticising Mr Verma’s demand, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Alka Lamba said, “In Uttar Pradesh, women are being shamed. Those who are holding hands in public or going out with their friends and family are being attacked by Hindu Vahini, a group run by Yogi Adityanath.”
She demanded that there is a need to stop such moral policing. “Police are singing to the tunes of RSS. They have failed to ensure women’s safety,” alleged Ms Lamba.
However, the Delhi police spokesperson denied having any initiative akin to the UP one as of now. “There is no such squad or move in the offing as of now. Delhi police is sensitive towards the issue of women safety,” said special commissioner Dependra Pathak.
