NEW DELHI, August 24; Expressing concern over the alleged harassment faced by an American student during her stay in India for a study programme, Tourism Minister K.Chiranjeevi on Saturday said he has taken up the issue with several chief ministers as well as all state tourism ministers.
The minister said that state tourism departments have unanimously agreed to put into place, measures to give greater security to all tourists, particularly women.
“I am also co-ordinating with various Ministries like Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Law and Justice to bring about further measures…,” he added.
Recently, Michaela Cross, a Chicago University student, described India as “a traveller’s heaven and a woman’s hell” while giving an account of her study trip to India last year. She stated that she experienced relentless sexual harassment, groping and worse during her stay in the country.
Mr. Chiranjeevi said his Ministry has launched a sensitisation campaign called ‘I respect women’ and that he is “now coordinating with the Union Ministries concerned – firstly, to raise awareness about the need for more sensitive behaviour towards women and secondly, to provide greater security”.
“In all cases that are brought to our attention, we will endeavour to take remedial action as appropriate,” he said.
