Thanjavur: Noted women’s rights activist and CPM Central Committee member, U Vasuki, has remarked that one-sided love and crimes related to it are on the rise.

Addressing the media in Thanjavur today, Vasuki said that after seeing instances like the Senthil-Naveena issue, it is clear that instances of one-sided love are now on the rise. Every male has a right to propose his love to any girl. At the same time, we should also recognize that the girl has every right to reject the proposal, Vasuki said.

Vasuki also underlined the need for spreading the views on gender equality. “In particular, the views related to gender equality should be accommodated in school curriculum, and we should stop portraying hero in cinemas as harassing and stalking the heroine against her will,” Vasuki said.

She pointed out that the conviction rate in sexual assault cases in Tamil Nadu stood at 26 percent and appealed to the state government to take measures to improve it.

She also urged the state government to immediately appoint the chairperson for the State Commission for Women. A person with real concern for women’s issues, sound knowledge, and field experience should be appointed as chairperson for state commission for women, she said.