NEW DELHI, Apr 13:
Congress president Rahul Gandhi today hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his silence on violence against women and children, saying it was “unacceptable” and India was waiting for him to speak up.
The Congress chief’s comments come a day after he led a midnight march to India Gate to protest the Kathua and Unnao minor rape cases and said it was time for Modi to walk the talk on ‘beti bachao’ (save the girl child).
Directly addressing the Prime Minister on Twitter today, Gandhi also asked why accused rapists and murderers were “protected” by the State.
“Mr Prime Minister, your silence is unacceptable.
“1. What do YOU think about the growing violence against women and children?
“2. Why are accused rapists and murderers protected by the State?
“India is waiting,” Gandhi tweeted, using the hashtag “SpeakUp”.
Earlier in the day, he thanked “thousands of men and women” who stood with him in protesting the rising acts of violence against girls and women and said their battle for justice would not be in vain.
Gandhi was joined last night by his sister Priyanka, her husband Robert Vadra and scores of Congress leaders, party workers and others, some carrying candles and placards against the BJP Governments at the Centre and in Uttar Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir while demanding urgent action against the perpetrators of the two incidents.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today described the rape and killing of the 8-year-old girl in Kathua as “sickening perversity” and sought “exemplary punishment” for those involved in the crime.
“Sickening perversity that deserves only exemplary punishment. Nothing can justify the horrific crime perpetrated against an 8-year-old. It’s not the time to procrastinate or politicise, but to rise in one voice for #Asifa #JusticeforAsifa #IfThisWasYourChild #Kathua (sic),” he tweeted.
The Congress is seeking to take forward the protest against the Kathua and Unnao rape cases and has asked its cadres at State and district headquarters to stage similar demonstrations across the country, demanding justice for the victims.
Sources said Congress chief Rahul Gandhi has asked party cadres to organise similar protests today in support of protection of women.
They said party general secretary (organisation) Ashok Gehlot has told all State Congress chiefs to galvanise the cadres in each State and stage candle-light marches at all State and district headquarters.
Gandhi had led a midnight march to the India Gate in the national capital last night asking Prime Minister Narendra Modi to save and protect the girl child.
The Congress has upped the ante against the Government over alleged inaction in the Kathua and Unnao rape cases.
A 17-year-old girl was allegedly raped by BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Senger last year in Uttar Pradesh. The incident came to light when she attempted to immolate herself outside Chief Minister Yogi Adityanth’s residence in Lucknow. (PTI)
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