Congress questions Modi's silence on Naliya gang rape

The Congress on Tuesday demanded that a sitting judge under the supervision of the High Court must investigate the Naliya gang rape case, allegedly involving BJP leaders from Kutch, and also questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on the issue.

"The BJP, which came into power with the weapon of 'Nirbhaya case', is in the dock about the safety of women. The Modi government has completed half its term but women's security situation in Gujarat has become so unfortunate that women there need to be saved from the BJP leaders themselves," said Shobha Oza, chairperson, All India Mahila Congress.

"While talking about zero tolerance, the Prime Minister has awarded a ministerial berth to a rape accused, Nihal Chand," she said.

A 24-year-old woman from Kutch had filed an FIR in Naliya town last month, alleging she had been raped repeatedly by nine persons, including four local BJP office-bearers, since last year.

The Gujarat assembly budget session on Monday saw pandemonium by opposition members over the alleged gang-rape, forcing Governor O.P. Kohli to cut short his customary opening address.

"Why has the Prime Minister maintained a stoic silence on the issue of 'Naliya BJP sex scandal' of Kutch? The slogan of 'Beti Bachao' is simply a hollow one and BJP and RSS leaders have become exploiters of women in the country," said Oza.

"The sex scandal of Naliya has unmasked the real 'chaal, charitra and chehra' (character) of BJP," she added.

Oza said the Naliya incident of "women molestation was not only limited to BJP and RSS workers but also linked to other top leaders, which include leaders of Gujarat and also other BJP-ruled states".

"They are trying their best to threaten, blackmail and even lure the victim's family. They are also trying to malign the victim's character," she said.

"The past record of Gujarat government has proved that SIT investigation is a mere lip-service to save the real culprits. In this context, we want to ask why this shameful incident is not being investigated by a sitting judge under the supervision of High Court?" Oza added.

--IANS

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