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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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
