Accusing the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh of supporting former Minister Swami Chinmayanand, who has been accused of rape by a law student, the Congress on Thursday questioned the silence of women leaders of the party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra alleged that the BJP government and the U.P. police were repeating the ‘negligence’ shown and ‘protection’ given to the accused in the Unnao rape case.
Unnao comparison
“The consequences of the BJP government and police’s negligence and protection to the accused in the Unnao rape case are in front of everyone. Now, the BJP government and police are repeating the same in the Shahjahanpur case. The victim is in fear. But do not know what the BJP government is waiting for,” Ms. Vadra said on twitter.
Addressing a press conference, Congress’ spokesperson Sharmistha Mukherjee said that ‘inaction’ against Mr. Chinmayanand is proof that the BJP is standing behind the rape accused.
“This is a very serious issue. It has become very clear that this government has a very non-serious approach to tackling increasing crimes against women. The government has a completely blind eye towards crimes against women and they are instead protecting their leaders,” she said and asked if this case too will be handled like the Unnao rape case.
In the Unnao case, expelled BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar has been accused of rape by a 19-year-old woman, who along with her lawyer met with a serious accident under mysterious circumstances. “Will the Prime Minister take action against those committing crimes against women or remain silent and sidestep questions raised by the Opposition,” asked Congress national secretary Pranav Jha.
‘Women leaders silent’
Another Congress leader, Supriya Shrinate, questioned why the senior women leaders in the BJP were not speaking out.
“Who is behind Chinmayananda and why is he not being arrested despite the victims making public the charges against him,” asked Ms. Shrinate. The Congress said that while the Modi government is talking about ‘ Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao ’ on the one hand, it is “busy protecting” those committing crimes against women on the other.
Published - September 19, 2019 09:33 pm IST
