Shame on us: President Kovind

​New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday said the Kathua gangrape and murder was shameful, and this kind of incidents should not happen in future. “After 70 years of independence such an incident occurring in any part of the country is shameful. 

We have to think what kind of society we are developing. It is our responsibility to ensure such a thing does not happen to any girl or woman,” he said while addressing the sixth convocation of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University in Katra.

“The most beautiful thing in this world is the smiling face of a child. And the security of our children is the greatest success of our society. It is a responsibility of society to give security and a sense of safety to them,” the President said.

Highlighting women’s contribution and success in different fields, including sports, Kovind said, “Daughters of India have brought laurels to the country in Commonwealth Games 2018, including Manika Batra from Delhi, Mary Kom, Mirabai Chanu and Sangeeta Chanu from Manipur, Manu Bhaker and Vinesh Phogat from Haryana, Saina Nehwal from Telangana and Heena Sidhu from Punjab.”

"Recently one child became target of a heinous and barbaric crime, which nobody could ever imagine", he said, referring to the brutal gangrape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua. "Are we developing such a society where our mother sisters and daughters are getting their right of justice, equality and freedom as enshrined by the Constitution," he asked.

The rape and murder of the eight-year-old girl, who belonged to a nomadic Muslim community, took place in January. Her body was found a week later. The charge-sheet accused eight persons of conspiring, brutalising and murdering the girl and revealed chilling details that triggered nationwide outrage. The President called for a resolve to provide security and safety to girl child across the nation.

"It is the responsibility of all of us that it (cases like the Kathua rape and murder) do not happen with any of our sisters or daughters," Kovind said. He said if there is good education it makes students good human beings and people who have sensitivity and sense of equality towards others. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, too, questioned what was wrong with society. 

She said, "How can someone do such a cruel thing to a small girl who is a manifestation of Mata Vaishno Devi? There is something wrong with society." Speaking at the convocation, Kovind said, "A good human being, if he becomes a doctor, becomes a good doctor, and if he becomes an engineer, a good engineer, which is better for society", he added. 

In the convocation, 882 students were awarded degrees in various disciplines including 439 graduate degrees, 427 masters degrees besides 16 PhDs and 26 medals. Recognising their contribution and achievements, founder and chairman of Bharti Enterprises, Sunil Bharti and Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Munjal Auto Engineering Limited, Sudhir Munjal have been conferred honorary doctorates by SMVDU on the occasion. 

Earlier, the President reviewed the ceremonial guard of honour upon his arrival here and lauded the high morale of troops, a Defence spokesperson said. Soon after his arrival at technical airport here, the supreme commander of the armed forces was presented the President's Guard of Honour by soldiers of the Gorkha Rifles.

Accompanied by first lady Savita Kovind, the President was received by Governor N N Vohra, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Kavinder Gupta and Chairman of the Legislative Council Haji Anayat Ali at Technical airport.