Unnao rape case: Stern action to be taken against the guilty, says Irani

Union minister Smriti Irani today said stern action will be taken against those found guilty in the Unnao rape case, in which a BJP MLA is the accused, and condemned what she said were efforts to "politicise" such cases.

"The law and the administration will work according to the Constitution and an appeal in this regard has been made by senior persons in the BJP. There are some people who want to politicise such incidents, but as a woman, I believe and it is my request that victim-shaming should not be done," she said, responding to reporters' questions on the Unnao case here.

The Information and Broadcasting Minister also took a dig at Congress president and Amethi MP Rahul Gandhi for taking part in a candlelight march in New Delhi yesterday against the growing incidents of crime against women in the country.

"Those who asked for votes for Gayatri Prajapati are protesting today. People know the reality," she said.

Irani, who started her two-day Amethi visit this morning, said, "I appeal to the people to have faith in the legal process...stern action will be taken as per the provisions of the Constitution against those responsible (for the Unnao incident). The CBI is investigating the matter...our government is with the victim's family."