NEW DELHI: The Congress on Tuesday accused the BJP of failing to ensure women’s safety, claiming that its so-called “double engine” governments have become a “curse for daughters.” The party’s sharp criticism followed reports of the harassment of a Union minister’s daughter.
Addressing a press conference, Mahila Congress chief Alka Lamba cited crime statistics from BJP-ruled states, including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Haryana, and Rajasthan, to attack the ruling party.
“The BJP’s ‘double engine’ governments are proving to be a curse for daughters. A Union minister’s daughter and her friends were harassed in Maharashtra, and shockingly, one of the accused, Piyush More, is a former BJP councillor. His pictures with Maharashtra’s chief minister and other top BJP leaders are widely available,” Lamba said.
She further asserted that if the Union minister herself could not get justice, she should resign and fight for her daughter alongside countless others facing similar ordeals.
Fresh Arrests in the Case
The Jalgaon police have made fresh arrests in connection with the harassment case. An official from the Muktainagar police station confirmed that two more individuals—Aniket Bhoyi and Anuj Patil—were taken into custody, while a minor was detained. Earlier, another suspect, Kiran Mali, had already been arrested. The incident occurred on February 28 during the Sant Muktai Yatra in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district. A total of seven individuals have been named in the FIR, based on the minister’s complaint. Police investigations revealed that the accused allegedly misbehaved with multiple girls and even clashed with the bodyguards accompanying them.
BJP’s Commitment to Women’s Safety Questioned
With International Women’s Day approaching on March 8, Lamba questioned the BJP’s track record on women’s safety. Citing recent cases, she said, “A 19-year-old girl was gang-raped at knife-point in Pune, and a video of the incident was recorded. Yet, no action was taken. In Gujarat, over 17,000 crimes against women have been reported in the last nine years, with nearly 200 daughters seeking justice at police stations every month.”
She further alleged that in Rajasthan alone, 20,000 cases of harassment had been registered in just the past six months. Listing cases from other states, she stated, “Whether anyone else stands up for these daughters or not, the Congress Party and the Mahila Congress will stand with them firmly.”
Holding the Government Accountable
Lamba concluded by demanding accountability from the BJP-led governments, stating that those in power must ensure justice for victims. “If those holding responsible positions fail to punish the guilty, they should step down. Women’s safety is not an issue we will let this government take lightly. We will ensure they are held accountable,” she said.
Read also: https://newsonthego.in/fresh-snowfall-rain-disrupt-life-in-himachal-pradesh-board-exams-postponed/
