From Kathua to Manipur: Not ‘'Beti Bachao’ but BJP’s ‘Accused Bachao’

The slogan 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' (Save Daughters, Educate Daughters) of Prime Minister Narendra Modi had reverberated across the country, particularly during his first term in power. Big hoardings and campaigns raising awareness about the need for girls to be brought up with self-confidence through education could be seen in every corner. PM Modi was then portrayed as the one who has the vision for the upliftment of not only the poor in the country but also the girls, who often miss the opportunity.

But more recently the BJP government’s handling of instances related to women and girls has been marred by controversy, as the accused involved in the most sensational cases like rape, assault, and killing have turned out to be those who were indisputably linked with the party, making the very meaning of ‘Save Daughters’ futile.

From the notorious rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Kashmir’s Kathua, later known as the Kathua rape case, to the recent sex tape allegations against Prajwal Revanna, the sitting MP from the BJP's ally in Karnataka, JDS, the party's response towards sexual offences in such cases has put the party in the dock.

Take the Hathras rape case, the Unnao rape case, the Ankita Bhandari murder case, the Brij Bhushan sexual assault cases, and large-scale reports of rapes and sexual assaults in Manipur during the riot, in all of these the BJP either tried to suppress dissent by force or played down the severity of women’s and girls’ modesty.

Prajwal Revanna is the sitting MP from Karnataka's Hassan constituency and the grandson of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda. It has been reported that even after the party leadership had been informed about Revanna’s alleged sexual misconduct and his perversion by state leaders, the BJP was not hesitant in supporting his candidature for the Lok Sabha election.

Multiple videos have surfaced showing what appears to be non-consensual sexual acts, allegedly involving Revanna. These videos depict instances where women were recorded without their consent. Adding fuel to the fire, Revanna fled the country using his diplomatic passport, just hours after the allegations against him surfaced. A look-out notice has been issued by the Karnataka Police's special investigation team.

The BJP, despite facing criticism for its handling of the situation, has not yet severed ties with its alliance partner, the Janata Dal (Secular), in Karnataka. This move has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties, accusing the BJP of protecting Revanna and allowing him to escape accountability.

Meanwhile, in Uttar Pradesh, another BJP MP, Brijbhushan Sharan Singh, has been facing allegations of sexual harassment from women wrestlers during his tenure as the chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). Despite these serious accusations, Singh has continued to enjoy favour within the party.

The BJP's decision to field Singh's son, Karan Bhushan Singh, as a candidate from the Kaiserganj constituency has raised further questions about the party's commitment to addressing allegations of sexual misconduct.

These recent scandals have once again brought to the fore the issue of crimes against women within the political sphere. According to a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and New Election Watch, 134 sitting MPs and MLAs across various parties have declared cases against them involving crimes against women, with the BJP leading with 44 MPs and MLAs.

Furthermore, data from the Union Home Ministry's National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) shows a disturbing trend of increasing crimes against women during the Modi government's tenure. From 2014 to 2022, crimes against women have risen by 31%, painting a grim picture of the state of women's safety in the country - a far cry from the 'beti bachao' slogan.

The party's response to these allegations has been mixed, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah stating that the BJP "cannot remain with those who commit atrocities against women." However, the lack of decisive action against accused members raises doubts about its commitment to upholding its own principles.

In the Kathua rape case in 2018, BJP leaders led protests demanding the release of a police officer accused of raping and murdering an eight-year-old Muslim girl, who had been confined in a temple for days. BJP’s then-state secretary, Vijay Sharma, was reported to have participated in the protest, calling for the release of the special police officer (SPO) Deepak Khajuria, who was accused of raping and murdering the eight-year-old nomad girl.

The case of Bilkis Bano, who was raped during the 2002 Gujarat riots, highlights the BJP's complicity in granting parole to convicted perpetrators. BJP politicians, including a Member of Parliament and a Member of the Legislative Assembly, shared a stage with one of the convicted rapists while they were out on parole. This raises questions about the party's stance on justice for survivors of sexual violence.

The Hathras rape and murder case and the Ankita Bhandari murder case underscore the broader issue of impunity and lack of accountability within the BJP. In both cases, the handling of the investigations and legal proceedings has been marred by allegations of negligence and bias. The delayed response and subsequent expulsion of a BJP leader implicated in the Ankita Bhandari case suggest a reactive rather than proactive approach to addressing systemic issues within the party.

Similarly, the case of Kuldeep Singh Sengar, a former BJP MLA from Uttar Pradesh, exposes the party's failure to take decisive action against its own members accused of rape. Despite being arrested and convicted, Sengar remained influential in the region, with other BJP leaders expressing support for him.

The disqualification of BJP MLA Ramdular Gond following his conviction for rape highlights concerns about political immunity and accountability. The delayed action by the Uttar Pradesh assembly raises questions about whether BJP members are shielded from consequences due to their political affiliations.

Brijbhushan Sharan Singh, the former chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), faced allegations of sexual harassment by women wrestlers. Despite protests and demands for accountability, Singh continued to enjoy political backing within the BJP, even to the point of being seen in the Lok Sabha among party MPs. His son was fielded as a candidate instead of him, indicating a troubling trend of impunity within the party.

In Manipur, the BJP-led government's response to violence against women has been criticized for its ineffectiveness and lack of accountability. Despite assurances from Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, little action has been taken to address the pervasive issue of harassment and assault faced by women in the state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's delayed acknowledgement of the situation further underscores the government's inadequate response.

These cases paint a troubling picture of the BJP's track record on issues of sexual harassment, assault, and rape. The party's failure to hold perpetrators accountable and address systemic issues of gender-based violence raises serious concerns about its commitment to women's rights and justice.

Courtesy for info: The Wire