During a protest rally, people not just criticized the BJP government for protecting rapists but also demanded the CM Yogi to revoke his order to withdraw a rape case against Swami Chinamayananda.
Ghazanfar Abbas | Caravan Daily
LUCKNOW — At a time when the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi had been compelled by the angry commoners who took onto streets to break his silence on Kathua rape and murder case and Unnao gang rape case, Uttar Pradesh’s BJP government is taking decisions that seem to be a paradox to their pet slogan – Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao. The UP, government, chose to hit another low, with CM Yogi Adityanath giving a nod to withdraw a seven-year-old case against former union minister Swami Chinamayananda.
The government’s decision to withdraw the rape case against Chinmayananda has further angered the common man. They were already seething with anger due to BJP’s inaction to book MLA Kuldip Singh Sengar, the prime accused of raping a minor in Unnao. The party, which had earlier been quite vocal for women rights and safety, further failed the public for not even reprimanding two of its ministers Choudhary Lal Singh and Chander Prakash Ganga, for openly supporting the brutal gang rape and murder of an eight-year-old child in Kathua district of Jammu.
During an interaction with Caravan Daily, several women in Lucknow not just expressed their anger against the Yogi Government but also condemned BJP for having failed on the issue of women safety and their apathetic approach in dealing with rape cases. They have also demanded that the government to revoke its decision to withdraw the rape case against Chinamayananda.
“It was women safety issues that helped BJP topple the Congress-led UPA government. How that it is in power both at the centre and state, how can they withdraw the rape case against Swami Chinmayananda? It is shameful. Rape is a heinous crime. BJP is suppressing the voice of women and we will not tolerate this anymore,” said Astha Mishra, during the protest march organized on Sunday. A huge number of people had assembled during the press meet to raise their voice against the Kathua and Unnao rape incidents.
Another protester, Shilpi said, “BJP asks to refrain from politicizing rape cases. But they themselves are politicizing these cases.” She further added, “If the people had not pressured the government, they wouldn’t have taken action against the culprits.”
“Rapists are fearlessly roaming around. We are living in fear. I am unable to understand whether the slogan “Beti Bachao” is a warning or a scheme of the BJP government. Now the society needs to stand for “Beti Bachao” if it is a warning from the government,” she furiously said.
Sunita said that verbal condemnation was not enough, and the PMO needed to take stringent action for all rape cases.
“Rape cases should not be withdrawn. Mere condemning the incidents is not enough; Prime Minister Narendra Modi should have taken stringent action. Rape cases should be seen as atrocity against women and not through lenses of religion and caste,” Sunita said.
When asked if the Yogi Government should revoke its decision, she said, “Yes, Yogi must revoke his decision and PM should also take the cognizance in the matter, as he had coined the slogan “Beti Bachao, Beti Padao”.
She further added, “People like Swami Chinmayanada should not be let off and should be given a severe sentence because such people claim to be moral guardians of the society. Government should set a precedent when it comes to punishing the offenders.”
Seema Swarup, another protester, said, “There is no sense in withdrawing a rape case. All women should raise their voice against this decision. All the rape cases should be treated equally.” On the other hand, Tulika blamed that BJP for having a dual approach while dealing with rape cases.
“On one hand BJP says “Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas” and on the other hand women, Dalits and Muslims are facing atrocities. This is a dual approach of the government. On one hand they support offenders and on the other hand it talks about justice. Government has no right to withdraw the rape case against Chinmayananda,” she said.
Reena Rajak, a teacher, sarcastically said, “The government has coined a slogan – “Beti Bachao” but the violence against women is on the top at present time. We can see how a safe passage is being given to the politicians in such cases.”
