All about Rahul Gandhi's midnight-protest against Unnao, Kathua rapes
What's the story
At midnight yesterday, Congress President Rahul Gandhi led a "silent vigil" at Delhi's India Gate seeking justice for the Unnao and Kathua rape victims. "Women are scared to step out of homes. This is a national issue, not political," he said. Top party leaders including Sonia and Priyanka Gandhi, Salman Khurshid, Kapil Sibal and Ashok Gehlot took part, as did students and citizens.
Unnao
In Unnao, probe delayed, victim confined, father allegedly killed
The 2017 rape of an 18-year-old by BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in Unnao has triggered allegations that the party is shielding him. The woman has alleged police and district administration are trying to dislodge the probe. Worsening matters, her father, who was arrested for attempting to commit suicide in front of the CM's house, died in judicial custody. Sengar was finally booked yesterday.
Kathua
In Kathua, 8-year-old child was sacrificed in communal wars
Meanwhile, in Kathua, an eight-year-old was kidnapped, sedated, held captive, gangraped repeatedly for days and murdered brutally in January. The crime was meant to instill fear among the nomadic Muslim Bakarwal community and drive them out. Two local BJP leaders created controversy when they were seen in rallies supporting the accused. "She will not be denied justice," Junior Foreign Minister VK Singh tweeted yesterday.
Protest
Today it's more about 'betion ko BJP se bachaon': Surjewala
Though Gandhi's tweets didn't mention BJP, Congress leaders slammed the ruling party. "Conscience of India is outraged by BJP's protection of rapists. The government's slogan of 'beti bachao' (save the girl child) has turned into 'betion ko BJP se bachaon' (save girls from BJP)," said Randeep Surjewala. "The government is sleeping and so Congress will have to wake them up," said Ghulam Nabi Azad.
Quote
It was a fashion walk, people were taking selfies: BJP
BJP spokesperson Vaibhav Aggarwal dismissed the rally as "fashion walk." "People are taking selfies for god's sake. There is a process of law. If the agency has been given a case, allow them to have a probe. Why is there so much defense?" he said.