Katra: The recent incident of Kathua gang-rape and murder case was condemned by President Ram Nath Kovind as “heinous and barbaric” and said that it was the collective responsibility of the society to ensure no girl suffers in the country.

President Kovind criticized heavily on the miscreants who did such a “shameful” incident and questioned the kind of society we have become.

“After 70 years of independence, such an incident occurring in any part of the country is shameful. We have to think what kind of society we are becoming. It is our collective responsibility to ensure such a thing does not happen to any girl or woman,” he said while addressing the sixth convocation of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University in Jammu and Kashmir’s Katra.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who, too, posed questions about what was wrong with the society. She said, “How can someone do such a cruel thing to a small girl who is a manifestation of Mata Vaishno Devi? There is something wrong with the society.”

The rape and murder of the girl aged eight took place in January. She belonged to a nomadic Muslim community. Her body was found a week later. The charge-sheet accused eight persons of conspiring, brutalizing and murdering the girl and revealed chilling details that triggered nationwide outrage.

President Kovind began his two-day Jammu visit in the morning today. He was welcomed by Governor NN Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.

Amar Mahal Lawns in Jammu city will hold a reception in Jammu city, and a dinner at the Raj Bhawan to be hosted by Governor Vohra will be on President’s day plan.

President Kovind will pay a visit to the Mubarak Mandi heritage site tomorrow before flying back to Delhi, sources said.

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