‘They’ll find you even in hell for abusing Modi’: Opposition corners BJP over UP teen’s gang-rape | Delhi News
NEW DELHI: The alleged gangrape of a 16-year-old girl inside a moving sleeper bus in Delhi has triggered major political row, with opposition leaders questioning the BJP dispension in Delhi, UP and the Centre.The sharp reactions came as details of the crime emerged, with the teenager allegedly being assaulted by the bus driver and conductor during a nearly 47km journey from Pari Chawk to Delhi’s Kashmere Gate.Delhi leader of opposition Atishi launched a sharp attack on the BJP, questioning why the governments and police administrations under its control had failed to prevent such crimes against women.“The Uttar Pradesh government is of the BJP. The Delhi government is of the BJP. The Uttar Pradesh Police is of the BJP. The Delhi Police is of the BJP. The LG is from the BJP. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is BJP-ruled. The Prime Minister is from the BJP,” Atishi said.“Is there any institution left that is not with the BJP? Then what is stopping them from taking action against rapists?” she asked.
‘Police have so much time…’
Atishi also drew a comparison between the police response to online criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and its handling of crimes against women.“The police have so much time that if someone abuses Modi ji in a video, they will find them even in hell. But girls are being raped and gang-raped,” she said.Her remarks referred to the recent controversy involving a Noida teenager who had allegedly made abusive remarks against PM Modi and his late mother during a protest.Delhi Police had said it would take no action against the teenager after examining the matter. The complainant later withdrew the complaint after Modi said he had ‘forgiven’ the girl.Atishi questioned the BJP government over its record on women’s safety and alleged that offenders did not fear the police.“Today, those committing rape have no fear of the police because they know the police will not catch them,” she said.
Mehbooba Mufti targets Centre
People’s Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti also reacted to the incident, linking the debate over women’s safety to the politics around cow protection.“In BJP’s India, cow protection has become a higher priority than women’s safety,” Mufti said in a post on X.She alleged that people had been lynched on suspicion of cow slaughter while convicted rapists continued to receive parole and political patronage.“If even half the energy devoted to vigilantism in the name of cows were invested in safeguarding women, India would be a far safer place for every daughter, sister and mother,” she said.
Saurabh Bharadwaj attacks Delhi government
AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj also targeted the Delhi government over the incident.He alleged that whenever reports of rape emerged in Delhi, the government maintained silence.Bharadwaj also referred to allegations of violations of POCSO guidelines at schools and claimed that the Rekha Gupta government had failed to take action.“Despite having a woman chief minister, Delhi continues to be disgraced,” he said.
BJP’s Navneet Rana seeks public execution
BJP leader Navneet Rana called the incident a symbol of what she described as the moral and intellectual degradation of society.Rana called for young men convicted of such crimes to be publicly hanged and argued against lengthy trials and delays.“There should be no lengthy trials, no delays, and no need for special fast-track courts; it should be a straightforward process, a hearing followed immediately by public execution. That is the only appropriate punishment.ard process in which a hearing is followed by immediate execution,” Rana added.
Delhi women’s panel seeks action
Delhi commission for women chairperson Lata Gupta condemned the alleged gangrape and said the commission had sought a complete action-taken report from the police.She said, “While everyone talks about rights, we seem to be forgetting our fundamental duties. Such incidents in society are deeply condemnable and unacceptable.”She said the police had arrested the bus driver and conductor and called for the case to be fast-tracked.Gupta said both accused should receive the strictest possible punishment and that the commission would actively advocate for the case.
What happened inside the bus?
The political reactions came after a 16-year-old Class 11 student from Uttar Pradesh was allegedly gang-raped inside a moving sleeper bus after boarding it while stranded in heavy rain.According to police, the teenager had left home following a disagreement with her family and was travelling to meet her cousin in Noida.She got off at Pari Chowk by mistake amid heavy rain and darkness, following which an empty sleeper bus stopped after she sought help.Police alleged that the driver and conductor subsequently raped her and threatened to kill her when she resisted.The bus travelled nearly 47km towards Kashmere Gate, where the teenager was allegedly abandoned. Both accused have been arrested, and the sleeper bus has been seized for forensic examination.The incident has once again raised a political debate over women’s safety, with opposition leaders questioning the BJP’s handling of crimes against women and demanding accountability from the authorities.(With agency inputs)(The victim’s identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assault)
