Crimes against women have spiralled out of control under BJP's rule: Rahul on Odisha incident
New Delhi (PTI): The Congress slammed the BJP on Friday over the alleged sexual assault on an Army officer's fiancee in police custody in Odisha, with Rahul Gandhi alleging that crimes against women have spiralled out of control under the saffron party's rule.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the incident, alleging that wherever the party is in power, it is working on the policy to turn police from "protectors to predators".
She questioned the "silence" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the women MPs of the ruling BJP on the issue.
In a post in Hindi on X, Rahul Gandhi said the horrific incident in Odisha has raised serious questions about the law-and-order situation in the country.
"An Army officer who went to seek help from police was brutally beaten up and his fiancee harassed in custody. This heinous incident is a shame on the entire humanity," the former Congress chief said.
Under the BJP government, crimes against women have spiralled out of control, he added.
"When injustice thrives and finds shelter within the government system itself, then from whom should the common citizen expect help?" the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha asked.
"All the culprits in this incident deserve the strictest legal punishment. Strict action needs to be taken against them and an example of justice and security needs to be set before the people of India, especially women," he said.
The Army officer, posted in West Bengal, and his fiancee approached the Bharatpur police station in Bhubaneswar on Sunday to get a complaint of road rage lodged. During the incident, they were also allegedly harassed by some men. However, the duo got into a quarrel with the personnel at the police station over the registration of an FIR.
The woman, who was arrested for "misbehaving" with the police personnel, alleged that she was sexually assaulted after being taken into custody.
In a post in Hindi on X, Priyanka Gandhi said the way police treated an Indian Army captain and his fiancee in Odisha has brought shame to everyone and the entire country is stunned by this incident.
"The Army officer had gone to a police station with his fiancee to seek help against miscreants. Their car was stopped by some anti-social elements. Instead of helping them, police locked them up and the woman was sexually harassed and brutalised in the lock-up," the Congress general secretary alleged.
"Wherever the BJP is in power, it is working on the policy of turning police from protectors to predators. The audacity to deliver justice on their own is now promoting crime, atrocities and inhumanity. This should stop. Strictest action should be taken in this case," she said.
Addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters here, Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said, "This is the same Odisha where the BJP government has completed 100 days in power. Narendra Modi spoke about women's empowerment and safety in Odisha ... but this incident occurred."
"In Odisha, a woman closed her restaurant at night and went out, when she was harassed by some men. She and her fiance, an Army officer, went to a police station to file a complaint. She has said she was tied up at the police station. After some time, a police officer came in, removed her undergarments and kicked her in the chest," Shrinate said.
"Under the BJP government, predators are not only on the streets but also within the police force. Women are not safe even at police stations," she added.
The prime minister remains silent on the incident as do all BJP representatives in states ruled by the party, such as Uttar Pradesh, Odisha and Bihar, Shrinate said.
"He (Modi) is busy campaigning (for Assembly polls) and does not have time to address women's safety issues. No woman MP of the BJP is willing to speak out on this matter. The BJP rightfully protested in West Bengal, but what about the states where it is in power? Who can justify this? Where are women safe?" the Congress leader asked.
The Odisha Police on Wednesday suspended five personnel in connection with the alleged assault on the Army officer and "molestation" of his fiancee at the Bharatpur police station.
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J&K polls: Amit Shah arrives in Jammu ahead of Saturday's hectic campaigning
Jammu (PTI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Jammu on Friday night ahead of the hectic day-long campaigning on Saturday during which he will address five public rallies in three districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
Shah arrived here from Delhi and drove straight to the State Guest house, a senior BJP leader said.
Shah will fly to Poonch early tomorrow morning and address the first of four rallies in Mendhar followed by Surankote in Poonch district, he added.
Shah is scheduled to address rallies in Thanamandi and Rajouri followed by Akhnoor in Jammu.
He is also expected to hold a rally in the Nowshera constituency in support of Jammu and Kashmir BJP president Ravinder Raina on Sunday.
