BJP spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi: Don't communalize Kathua rape
Breaking BJP's measured silence on the Kathua and Unnao rape cases was spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi. For the Kathua rape and murder, she slammed the Opposition for "communalizing" the issue. She asserted that appropriate action is already taken by law enforcement agencies in the Unnao rape case, where a BJP MLA is accused. She also questioned the Opposition's silence on other rape cases. Here's more.
What are the Kathua and Unnao rape cases?
In Kathua, an eight-year-old child was kidnapped, sedated, held captive, gang-raped repeatedly for days and brutally murdered in January. The accused wanted to scare the nomadic Muslim Bakarwal community into leaving. Meanwhile, in Unnao, an 18-year-old woman was allegedly raped by BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar. After she demanded a probe, her father was arrested under the Arms Act and died in judicial custody.
'BJP's MLAs in J&K were misled'
In J&K, two local BJP leaders created a controversy when they were seen in rallies supporting the accused. Lekhi said, "They shouldn't have protested. They shouldn't have commented until investigation was over." She added that police have already arrested the accused after a thorough investigation.
'Why no protests in other rape cases?'
Citing a 12-year-old girl's rape and murder in Nangaon (Assam) last month, Lekhi questioned the selective rage of media-persons. She said, "Nobody has reported anything about the Nangaon-accused Zakir Hussain. Please don't communalize rape cases." She claimed this was a conspiracy against Centre. She said Congress's plan was to "shout" for minority, Dalits, and women. When that doesn't work, they fix blame "of state-issues on Centre."
How have other BJP members reacted?
Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi wants a death penalty for those convicted of raping minors below age 12. She also addressed media scrutiny saying, "You people want investigation to be done in 2 minutes. But, action is being taken." Union Minister Smriti Irani condemned the politicization saying, "As a woman, I request victim-shaming to be stopped." PM Modi has not yet commented.
