New Delhi:
A day after the family of Gudiya, a five-year-old gang-rape survivor, alleged that the state government had not fulfilled promises made to them, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today defended herself and her ministers, saying "action has been taken".
Named "Gudiya" by sections of the media, the child was kidnapped and brutally gang-raped by two men in April this year. As she fought for her lie in hospital, people united in anger, reminiscent of the massive protests triggered by the fatal gang-rape of a physiotherapy student in December last year.
Her family claimed that a flurry of politicians had visited them at the hospital at the time, promising to take care of their daughter's education and provide a job to her father. But five months on, "their people don't even take our calls", they said.
The government differs, saying it hasn't forgotten its promise. "I got an account opened for them. Money was given to them. Once the girl recovers fully, we will ensure that she is sent to school. The father wanted a job at YWCA but since they have their own constraints, he could not get a job there. We will get him a job as well," Women and Child Development Minister Kiran Walia said.
But Gudiya's parents aren't convinced. "Five months back, they had said the same thing. If they really do fulfill their promise this time, we will be grateful," Gudiya's father told NDTV.