Kolkata, March 6 : The wave of the recent awakening of the women of Sandeshkhali, who have been protesting against sexual harassment and violence against them, will spread to the entire state, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday in Barasat, in North 24 Parganas District of West Bengal.

“The ruling Trinamool Congress had been ignoring the complaints of harassment of women for a long time. Everyone is ashamed of what has happened in Sandeshkhali, but it does not matter to the Trinamool Congress and the state government. 

“Now they are trying to protect the accused by moving one court after another. But they have been snubbed in all the courts,” the Prime Minister said while addressing a rally on women empowerment organised by the state unit of the BJP.  He also said that the state government and the ruling dispensation have faith in the accused Trinamool Congress leader and his associates but not in the women of Sandeshkhali.  “Bengal is the land of Ma Sarada, Rani Rashmoni, Sarala Debi, Matangini Hazra and Pritilata Waddedar. In West Bengal, the ruling dispensation does not show the minimum respect towards women. Remember there is provision for even death penalty in case of heinous crimes against women, like rape. 

“The Union government has started a helpline where women in distress can call and register their complaints. But in West Bengal, the state government has not allowed that system to operate,” he said.  The Prime Minister added that the women of Sandeshkhali had shown the way by launching a spontaneous protest against harassment and violence.