Sonia Gandhi lays foundation stone for Girl’s hostel at Jamia Millia Univ.

New Delhi: Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi expressed her concern over violence against women on Tuesday, while laying the foundation stone for a girl’s hostel at Delhi’s Jamia Millia Islamia University campus. She also made a strong pitch for a proactive society to create a safe environment for them.

"We have been shocked by the violence that girls and women encounter on the street and even in their homes. Of course, it is not universal, but it is there widespread," said Sonia Gandhi. "It pains me that as a society, we have failed to counter it and create a safe environment where girls and women can live and flourish without being constantly forced to live in the fear of abuse and molestation," added the Congress President. While the government, Parliament and institutions like the police have to discharge their role, society at large also needs to change its mind-set, said Sonia Gandhi.

"We must all become all the more proactive. There can be no better places for this other than our families, schools and universities," she added. Sonia Gandhi also expressed happiness over the decision of the university to name a ground in the university after "charismatic" cricketer late Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi.  The Congress President said she was delighted to be at the varsity as she does not often get a chance to be amongst students.