Union Minister Prakash Javadekar criticized the Gandhis for the alleged rape in Punjab (Archive)
New Delhi:
Union Minister Prakash Javadekar attacked congressional leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra today for the alleged rape and murder of a six-year-old Dalit girl, whose father is a migrant worker from Bihar, in the Hoshiarpur district of Punjab.
Describing the incident as “extremely shocking” and calling for “strict action”, Mr. Javadekar demanded that Mr. Gandhi, who has been fiercely critical of the BJP for the alleged crime and murder of a young Dalit in UP’s Hathras Last month, stop your “political tours” and visit Punjab to “become aware of the crime against women.”
“The rape and murder of a six-year-old Dalit girl from Bihar, in the Tanda village of Hoshiarpur, is very shocking. Instead of going on political tours, Rahul Gandhi should visit Tanda and Rajasthan and learn about incidents of crimes against women , “Mr. Javadekar was quoted by the ANI news agency.
“Neither Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi nor Priyanka Gandhi visited the victim’s family in Tanda. They pay no attention to the injustice committed against women in the states ruled by their party, but they visit Hathras and other places to take pictures with him. family of the victim, “he added.
Javadekar’s attack on Congress comes after the party attacked the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh for the alleged gangrape in Hathras and questioned Prime Minister Yogi Adityanath’s record in protecting girls and women.
Mr. Gandhi and Ms. Gandhi Vadra were reunited with the young woman’s family, who died from injuries sustained in the attack after two dramatic attempts. They were detained each time by the UP police: the first saw Mr. Gandhi thrown to the ground by the police and the second saw Ms. Gandhi Vadra mistreated by the police while trying to protect a party worker during a lathi charge .
Congressional Leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra meets with family of Hathras victim
Last week the two also criticized the BJP for its trademark. “Beti bachao… “(save your daughters) campaign, pointing out that the situation in UP was more of a”apradhi bachao“(save criminals).
Both the BJP and the UP Police have come under severe scrutiny for their conduct of the Hathras investigation, with the Allahabad High Court among their critics. Among other things, the police have been criticized for a funeral at 2.30 am, which the woman’s family was not allowed to attend.
Yogi Adityanath said earlier this month that his government was committed to the safety of women.
Meanwhile, Mr Javadekar also attacked RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, who leads the opposition, today. Mahagathbandhan charge to defeat Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the ruling JDU-BJP alliance in Bihar in elections starting next week.
“Tejashwi Yadav is sharing the stage and campaigning with the people who are committing atrocities against the Bihar girl. How will the people react?” he asked, referring to Rahul Gandhi’s appearance with Mr. Yadav at election rallies on Friday.
Yadav has targeted Nitish Kumar for the rise in crime in the state during his 15 years in charge.
Regardless of political affiliations and parties in charge of different states, the barbaric incident in the village of Jalalpur, in the Tanda region of Punjab, is the latest in a series of sexual assaults and attacks against women and girls across the country.
Data released by the National Bureau of Criminal Records last month showed that India recorded an average of 87 rapes per day in 2019, a seven percent increase from the previous year.
With contributions from ANI
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