“The law should be made further stringent so as to provide suitable security to women in the country,” opined poetess Dr. Latha Rajashekar.

She was speaking after inaugurating a programme organised by Karnataka Muktaka Sahitya Academy Trust to mark its 13th anniversary and also to release the books Andhina Indhina Pranigalu written by S. Ramaprasad and Mahakaviyondhige Masagali by Dr. M.P. Manjappa Shetty Masagali at Sarada Vilas College in Krishnamurthypuram here yesterday.

“Of late, harassment of women has been rampant in the country with an insecure feeling looming large in the minds of women after the gang rape and murder of a woman in Delhi. Similar incidents have taken place after that too. The government has to introspect itself. The punishment being awarded to rapists should be made severe to bring down the crime rate. It is a pity that even after six decades of the country gaining independence, women are not safe deducing that they were safer before independence,” she opined. Chutuku Sahitya is like pearls which glitter less but have their own uniqueness and value, she added.

Muktaka Sahitya Academy Chairman S. Ramprasad, Retd. Zoology Professor Dr. S.N. Hegde, Dr. H.B. Rajashekar and Botany Prof. Dr. N.S. Ramaswamy were present.