New Delhi: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar called for a decisive stance against subtle discrimination against women and urged the "male society" to change its mindset before it is too late. Speaking at a media conclave on Monday, Dhankhar condemned the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata and criticised any dismissive remarks referring to the incident as a "symptomatic malaise."

Dhankhar hoped that the upcoming women’s reservation law will increase female participation in decision-making and governance, reducing disruptions in Parliament and state legislatures. He rejected the notion that women are the weaker sex, asserting that true empowerment will come from women themselves.

He pointed out that while overt gender discrimination is being addressed, subtle forms persist and need to be tackled with urgency. "Education cuts into inequality," he said, but noted that subtle discrimination is harder to combat.

Addressing the Kolkata case, Dhankhar condemned any attempts to downplay the severity of the crime. He criticised those who described the rape-murder as a "symptomatic malaise," suggesting that such comments diminish the gravity of the crime. "Our hearts should bleed," he asserted, in reference to purported remarks by senior lawyer Kapil Sibal in a Supreme Court Bar Association resolution. (Agencies)