Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday accused the Congress of adopting double standards on women’s safety, questioning Rahul Gandhi and other senior party leaders over their alleged silence on sexual assault and harassment allegations against members of their party.Addressing a press conference, BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj alleged that the Congress had repeatedly shown disrespect towards women and the “divine feminine”.“India is worshipping Chhathi Maiya with great pride in its culture. Chhathi Maiya is the hymn of creation itself. And on the other hand, as you know, Congress keeps insulting the divine feminine over and over again,” Swaraj alleged.According to news agency ANI, the BJP leader questioned Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Sonia Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge over their response to three separate cases involving allegations against party leaders.
BJP raises allegations against Congress MLA
Referring to allegations against Jharkhand congress MLA Bhushan Bara, Swaraj said the legislator was facing serious accusations involving the alleged rape of a 14-year-old tribal girl. She pointed out that investigating agencies had registered a case under the protection of children from sexual offences (POCSO) Act.An FIR was registered against Bara under the POCSO Act and the Juvenile Justice Act following a complaint by a minor girl. The MLA has rejected the allegations, calling them a “completely fabricated” conspiracy orchestrated by political opponents. Police have said the investigation is underway.
JNU harassment allegations and Manipur appointments
Swaraj also raised allegations against Congress MP Bimol Akoijam, claiming that 11 female students of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) had accused him of sexual harassment.She questioned the Congress leadership’s decision to appoint Akoijam as co-chairman of its election, campaign and manifesto committees for the upcoming Manipur assembly elections.The BJP MP further criticised the Congress for appointing Harak Singh Rawat as the head of its election committee in Uttarakhand, referring to allegations made against him by a woman from Assam.Targeting the Congress leadership over its response to these cases, Swaraj asked why senior party leaders had not sought accountability from the accused.“How long are you going to keep following this principle of ‘Maunam Swikruthi Lakshanam’? Have you asked your MLAs a single question? Have you held them accountable? No, you haven’t. But that’s just how Congress is double standards have become completely normal for them,” she said.
BJP questions Rahul Gandhi over NSUI functionary
The BJP leader also referred to an alleged incident involving an office-bearer of the National students’ union of India (NSUI), the Congress’s student wing. The functionary was accused of luring young women with promises of concert tickets and gifts.Swaraj questioned Rahul Gandhi’s silence over the matter and asked why the congress had not adequately responded to the woman’s complaint.
Modi versus Rahul Gandhi on women’s safety
Drawing a comparison between PM Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi, Swaraj said the BJP government had focused on empowering women through development initiatives and economic opportunities.
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“On one side is Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, whose tireless efforts and development policies have made women in this country not just beneficiaries, but self-reliant entrepreneurs and nation builders. On the other side is Rahul Gandhi, who only gives hollow slogans like ‘Smash the Patriarchy’ and stays completely silent when it comes to respecting women,” she said.Swaraj also referred to Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s political slogan, ‘Ladki Hoon, Lad Sakti Hoon’, questioning whether the Congress leadership was equally committed to protecting women’s dignity when allegations involved members of its own organisation.The BJP MP warned that women voters would hold the Congress accountable in the upcoming elections over its stand on women’s safety, dignity and accountability.
