What Nadda has to say on UP BJP MLA being convicted for raping minor, asks Siddaramaiah
Hubballi, Dec 16: Accusing the BJP of politicising the incident of stripping and parading a tribal woman naked in Belagavi, Karnataka Chief Minister on Saturday asked BJP president J P Nadda what would he say about an Uttar Pradesh BJP MLA Ramdular Gond being convicted for raping a nine-year-old girl.
The Chief Minister's outburst was against the BJP sending a five-member BJP central team including four MPs visiting and meeting the survivor and staging statewide demonstrations on Saturday against the December 11 incident where the tribal woman was stripped, paraded naked and tied to a pole after her son eloped with a girl from the same community in Vantamuri village in Belagavi district.
"Are you aware that a BJP MLA from Uttar Pradesh was jailed for 25 years yesterday? He had raped a nine-year-old girl. What Nadda has to say (on this incident)?" Siddaramaiah sought to know.
ALSO READ: BJP MLA in UP gets 25 years in jail for raping minor, faces disqualification from Assembly
He said one should check the National Crime Records Bureau to find out how many cases of atrocities on girls and women have taken place during the BJP rule.
ALSO READ: JP Nadda issues statement condemning Belagavi incident, netizens ask "What about Manipur?"
The Chief Minister said he strongly condemns the atrocity on the tribal woman and wanted strict punishment should be given to the perpetrators because it makes the society hang its head in shame.Siddaramaiah said the state government has taken all the measures to offer relief to the survivor right from the minister visiting and consoling her, offering her compensation and arrest of the accused persons.
Later, the Chief Minister issued a statement saying that despite the Karnataka High Court's restrictions, the BJP leaders visited the victim-woman "thus not only flouting the court's directive but also displaying their insensitivity."
"The Chief Justice of the High Court, while taking suo-motu cognisance of the incident, had suggested this morning that visits to the traumatised woman, who is severely distressed, should be restricted. This directive was notably given in the context of news about political leaders planning to visit the victimised woman. The Chief Justice's suggestion in this situation is noteworthy," Siddaramaiah pointed out.
Considering that the woman is receiving medical treatment, visitors' interactions could impact her health and treatment, the Chief Minister said adding, the High Court, therefore, stated that it is necessary to restrict visits to the woman for her well-being.
The High Court had ordered that no individual, group, organisation, political party, or others should visit the woman without prior written permission from the chief medical officer of the hospital responsible for her treatment, he emphasised.
"Despite this, the BJP leaders, in a move to use a tragic incident for political gain, have visited the woman in the name of truth-seeking'. It shows their blatant disregard to the court's orders and instructions. The insensitivity and lack of respect shown by BJP leaders and their national president J P Nadda, who is supporting this behaviour, must be condemned by everyone," Siddaramaiah said.
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Maharashtra government considers tweaks to Ladki Bahin scheme amid fiscal strain: Reports
Mumbai: A day after the Mahayuti coalition secured a landslide victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, attention has turned to the Ladki Bahin Yojana, a flagship welfare scheme that played a pivotal role in attracting women voters.
The scheme, launched in July 2024, offers ₹1,500 per month to economically disadvantaged women aged 18 to 65. The Mahayuti, in its election manifesto, pledged to increase the amount to ₹2,100 per month, a promise now under scrutiny due to fiscal concerns. With the scheme projected to cost the exchequer ₹33,300 crore from July 2024 to March 2025, bureaucrats are exploring ways to revise its provisions to prevent a financial imbalance.
Finance Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar hinted at the challenges, stressing the need for "financial discipline." A senior bureaucrat confirmed that plans are underway to prune the list of beneficiaries, citing the inclusion of ineligible individuals due to incomplete Aadhaar seeding and lack of required ration cards. According to the finance department, nearly one crore women out of the 2.43 crore registered beneficiaries may not qualify for the scheme.
The state’s debt burden is already projected to reach ₹7.82 lakh crore for the fiscal year 2024-25. Officials warn that continuing the scheme in its current form could impact the government’s ability to pay salaries by January. Despite these concerns, the ruling coalition is hesitant to reduce the beneficiary list, likely due to the upcoming civic elections.
Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik is expected to present renegotiation proposals to the new chief minister soon. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena spokesperson Krishna Hegde credited the scheme for increasing the number of women voters and boosting the coalition’s vote share. NCP (SP) leader Sharad Pawar also acknowledged the scheme’s role in mobilising women voters.
Other welfare measures introduced by the government include an electricity bill waiver for farmers and three free LPG cylinders annually for six million households. However, the financial viability of such initiatives remains a pressing concern.
