From PhD student to school teacher, women air their grievances at TS Guv's Mahila Darbar

Hyderabad: Telangana Governor Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan held the first session of 'Mahila Darbar' at the Raj Bhavan on 10 June amidst the furor over the Jubilee Hills gang-rape incident. More than 300 women of various age groups and professions attended the session and discussed their problems with the Governor.

"The idea of holding a Mahila Darbar is so that I can provide a voice to the voiceless. I intend to be a bridge between the public and the state government," Dr. Soundararajan said.

As part of the event, all women were invited to explain their problems in writing on an application form. After briefly conversing with the Governor, the women were directed to the officials and experts concerned who can help them with their problems.

"Women in the highest positions are not receiving respect so I can only imagine what the general public is going through. This is why I want to put it out there that the public can knock on the Raj Bhavan's door for help. Any woman can approach the highest constitutional authority," said the Governor.

Women speak out

The Raj Bhavan had officials from the Red Cross, a team of lawyers, human rights activists, non-government organisations, and others to tend to the women's problems ranging from financial issues to health issues, harassment, and workplace issues.

A PhD student from Osmania University explained how the administration has not given her an explanation for cancelling her Ph.D. "Usually, the time limit to complete PhD is 10 years. I enrolled in 2013. Now, the management is saying it has been too long and is not accepting my thesis," she said.

A teacher from Karimnagar suggested that martial arts be made compulsory for all female students from class V. She also insisted that schools conduct awareness among students about "good touch and bad touch."

There were also government officials from various parts of Telangana who have been waiting for transfers to their hometowns for several years.

All the women who attended the event expressed their anger at the gang-rape of minor girls. A women's rights activist from Secunderabad, M. Anjali, said there is a need for more women police stations to be set up in Hyderabad. "There are only two stations as of now," she pointed out.

This is not a political move, I seek to help people: Guv

Addressing the women, the Governor said, "We will address all the issues. My heart bleeds for all the victims of sexual assault. I shall stand for the women of Telangana. I will work towards the safety and empowerment of women and no one can stop me," she said.

The Governor said the Jubilee Hills gang-rape case was one of the reasons for holding the Mahila Darbar.

On 4 June, Dr. Soundararajan ordered chief secretary Somesh Kumar and DGP M. Mahender Reddy to submit a report on the Jubilee Hills gang-rape case within two days. However, she has not received a report yet. "Perhaps, the clock is ticking slowly for some people," she said.

"Some people have said that conducting a Mahila Darbar in the Raj Bhavan is wrong. I don't think so. All government offices are for the people. This is not a political move and I genuinely seek to help people. I request the state government to respond and resolve the women's issues we have received today," she said.