Neena Gupta on the rape and murder case in Kolkata

Mumbai: Veteran actress Neena Gupta has said solutions must be found to ensure the safety of women while condemning the alleged rape and murder of a junior doctor at the government-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata last week.

The actress said she has been thinking a lot about the issue of women's safety in recent days.

“Condemning it (the crime) is fine, but we need a solution. What could be the solution? Our country is big. In every state, district, region or village, there are committees where they (women) work, conduct monitoring and submit reports.

“For example, a teacher in a village has to walk many kilometres in the evening or at night before she returns (home)… So the women who are under surveillance are also at risk. I have thought a lot but have not found a solution. It will take a long time for society to change,” Gupta told PTI.

Referring to the government's 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' programme that addresses issues of gender discrimination and women empowerment in the country, the actor said that after education, the next gradual step is to seek employment, but daughters are not safe in the workplace.

“After 'Beti Padhao', Beti (daughter) will also go to work, right? She is not safe even if she works. ('Beti Padhao' ke baad beti kaam toh karegi na padhaaoge toh. Kaam karegi toh (bhi)' safe nahi hai.) So I want to ask what is the solution,” she added.

Gupta recently received the National Award for Best Supporting Actor for her role in the Hindi film “Uunchai” (2022). It is her second award in the same category after “Woh Chhokri” in 1994.