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Finally breaking their silence on the rapes of two minors, one in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh and other in Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir, Bharatiya Janata Party through its spokesperson, Meenakshi Lekhi held a press conference on April 12.
Apart from the press conference, few other BJP leaders have spoken about the Kathua and Unnao gang rape cases.
Press conference
Describing the timelines of both the cases, Lekhi maintained that prompt action was taken and also accused the opposition of “communalising” the case and trying to “blame the centre”.
Press conference https://t.co/nNovKQqWlp
— Meenakashi Lekhi (@M_Lekhi) April 13, 2018
She said that it was Congress’ plan to “somehow blame the centre by ‘first shouting ‘minority minority’, then ‘Dalit Dalit’ and now ‘women women’ “. She even said that the Congress did not carry out this kind of candlelight marches for the victims of 1984 riots or in Nirbhaya’s case.
You see their plan, first shout 'minority minority', then 'Dalit Dalit', and now 'women women' and then try to somehow fix blame of state issues on the centre. All this while ignoring the strict action being taken by state govts: Meenakshi Lekhi,BJP pic.twitter.com/mR98YPQN1z
— ANI (@ANI) April 13, 2018
She alleged that the media was misreporting the cases and that there was selective outrage by the opposition. She said, “Apart from Kathua and Unnao, there was another case in Assam’s Naigon where a Class 12 student was raped first and then burnt to death. Why no candle march for her?”
Talking about the Unnao gang-rape case, Lekhi said that the girl who accused BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar did not mention his name before the magistrate’s court in 2017. She said, “She later took his name, which resulted in a complaint being filed by the accused against the girl’s family.”
Unnao ki ghatna 10 mahine pehle ki hai. Police ne Magistrate ke saamne bayan liya, isme vidhayak ka naam nahi liya, phir Mahila ne PM aur Yogi Adityanath ko chhitthi likhi aur isme vidhayak par aarop laga, phir karyavahi huyi: Meenakshi Lekhi,BJP MP pic.twitter.com/e5YqbrmllX
— ANI (@ANI) April 13, 2018
In the Kathua gang-rape of the eight-year-old, in which two BJP MLA who openly supported the accused men by participating in the rally, Lekhi just said that the BJP MLAs’ were misled and that they should have “ideally not commented until an investigation was conducted.”
She also added that “ Lesson to them is not to believe one side or the other and let the law take its course”
Party has already condemned this act, 2 individuals (BJP J&K ministers) were mislead & misguided by people. Lesson to them is not to believe one side or the other and let the law take its course: Meenakshi Lekhi, BJP on BJP J&K ministers supporting accused #KathuaCase pic.twitter.com/fTtlYZeJPC
— ANI (@ANI) April 13, 2018
She said that Special Investigation Team (SIT) was already formed and about six to seven members were already arrested in connection with the Kathua gang-rape case. She also said that the Bar Association president BS Slathia was a polling agent of Ghulam Nabi Azad.
A fair probe was done in #Kathuacase. SIT was formed and 6-7 people were arrested. Also, I would like to say it on record that the Jammu Bar Association president BS Slathia was the polling agent of Ghulam Nabi Azad ji: Meenakshi Lekhi,BJP pic.twitter.com/0A2OCT3vgs
— ANI (@ANI) April 13, 2018
Comments from other BJP leaders
Apart from this press conference, few other BJP leaders spoke about the gang-rapes in Kathua and Unnao.
Union Minister and former Army Chief General V K Singh was first to come out and said that “we have failed Ashifa as humans”.
We have failed Ashifa as humans. But she will not be denied justice.#PunishTheSavages #RapeAndMurderOfHumanity #Kathua #JusticeForAshifa #GenerallySaying pic.twitter.com/yQPUU0JDW4
— Vijay Kumar Singh (@Gen_VKSingh) April 12, 2018
Rajnath Singh, Home Minister, in an interview with India Today, said that the Narendra Modi government is committed to the cause of women safety. He said he has met Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti regarding this case. He also said that the BJP leaders in the area have been asked to led their support to ensure justice is served.
He said, “ FIR must be registered if any complain comes up. I have spoken to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister in the Kathua rape case. The real culprits are those instigating young stone pelters. Modi government outreach will continue. We are committed to improve the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Kathua rape and murder is a serious crime.”
Union Minister Maneka Gandhi said that her ministry intends to amend Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Aap log(media) chaahte hain ki 2 minute mein karyavahi ho jaye, action is being taken by state govts. Also, we are contemplating an amendment in law which awards death penalty to rapists of minors below 12 years of age: Maneka Gandhi,Union Minister #UnnaoCase #KathuaCase pic.twitter.com/o0Xwtuo0f5
— ANI (@ANI) April 13, 2018
Smriti Irani said that through the midnight candle march, Rahul Gandhi is politicising the issue.
Rahul Gandhi earlier stood in support of Gayatri Prasad Prajapati. It's just his compulsion to take a stand this time but Amethi knows the truth. I have faith that justice will be provided: Smriti Irani on Congress' candlelight march on #Unnao & #Kathua rape cases, y'day #Amethi pic.twitter.com/cEzCGqnD9i
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 13, 2018
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not yet spoken about this issue.
The Logical Indian Take
The BJP leaders have finally started speaking out on these two heinous crimes. Among the women leaders of BJP who have spoken on this issue are Maneka Gandhi, Smriti Irani and Meenakshi Lekhi.
However, Smriti Irani seems to deviate from the real issue. Instead of talking about the two crimes, she spoke of how Rahul Gandhi supported Gayatri Prasad Prajapati, Samajwadi Party member who was accused of corruption and rape of a woman from Chitrakoot. Prajapati was arrested in this case and has been recently granted bail.
Meenakshi Lekhi’s response on the participation of the BJP MLAs’ participation in the rally in Kathua was not satisfactory. It is hard to believe that two adults holding positions of power were “misled” to support the rape accused. She also spoke about how the Kathua and Unnao gang rapes were selectively highlighted, even when a minor in Assam was reportedly raped and set on fire in Nagaon district. However, in this case, the police has already arrested two of the three accused and no political party is defending them.
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