New DelhiDelhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal wrote to Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday, October 28, 2022 to settle loan repayment disputes in Rajasthan’s Bhilwara district against the culprits of auctioning girls on stamp paper. demanded action. ,
“There is news in the newspaper that girls below 8 years of age are being openly auctioned on stamp paper in more than half a dozen districts of the state. The report states that whenever there is a dispute between two parties, especially Regarding financial transactions from.. and loans, people approach caste-based panchayats to settle the matter. These panchayats settle financial disputes and recover money by auctioning young girls belonging to lending families. Then girls are deported to Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Mumbai, Delhi and even abroad and subjected to physical abuse, torture and sexual harassment.If families refuse to sell their girls, so to their mothers The victim of rape is made on the orders of the local caste panchayats!” Read Maliwal’s letter.
The DCW chief asked the state government to punish the culprits and prevent such incidents in future.
“First, strict instructions should be issued to the police to ensure strict action against those involved in these criminal activities. Secondly, steps should be taken against the public servants/officers who have allowed such criminals to prosper. and failed to perform his duty for the safety of the women and girls of the state,” the letter read.
“Thirdly, steps should be taken to ensure that such incidents do not happen in the state anymore. Lastly, girls sold in the past should be tracked down immediately. Once they are traced, the government should take steps to rescue and rehabilitate them.”
“This is one of the most shocking and painful cases and this racket is probably being run by influential people. I look forward to prompt action by your honorable self,” he said in the letter.
According to media reports on 26 October this year, the caste panchayats of Rajasthan are committing this crime like Syria and Iraq where girls are enslaved. Reportedly, in Bhilwara, whenever there is a dispute between the two parties, instead of going to the police, the caste panchayats are approached to settle. This becomes the starting point for enslavement of girls. If they fail to comply with their commitments, the girls’ mothers are ordered to be raped.