The Congress on Thursday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of shielding leaders facing serious charges of rape and sexual harassment, alleging that 44 of its MPs and MLAs are currently under such accusations.
Addressing a press conference, All India Mahila Congress president Alka Lamba claimed that several cases involving BJP leaders and their associates reflect a pattern of political protection. “There is a clear pattern where those accused of serious sexual crimes are protected rather than acted against,” she said.
Highlighting specific instances, Lamba pointed to a case in Goa where the son of a BJP councillor allegedly abused 20 to 30 minor girls over a period of three years, adding that the case emerged only after victims’ families came forward, leading to action under the POCSO Act. She also cited a Maharashtra case involving self-styled godman Ashok Kharat, accused of exploiting multiple women and recording objectionable videos.
The Congress leader referred to several prominent cases to bolster her contention, including the Unnao rape case involving former BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, the murder of Ankita Bhandari, and sexual harassment allegations made by women wrestlers against former BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. She also mentioned cases involving a BJP MLA in Himachal Pradesh and former Haryana minister Sandeep Singh, alleging inadequate action.
Lamba further questioned the repeated paroles granted to convicted rapist Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and raised concerns over cases involving Asaram. She also referred to the remission granted to convicts in the Bilkis Bano case, which was later overturned by the Supreme Court.
She also brought up the case of former JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna, alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had campaigned for him despite prior allegations.
Referring to remarks by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, Lamba said serious claims involving women had been made publicly without any response from the government. “The statements made by senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy regarding women MPs are extremely serious. Despite this, there has been no inquiry into the allegations so far. The question is why the government, the BJP and the women MPs continue to remain silent on such remarks,” she said.
Citing data from Varanasi, the Prime Minister’s constituency, she noted that 1,686 cases of crimes against women were registered in the past year, calling it a reflection of governance failure.
Accusing the BJP of adopting a “protective approach” in such cases, Lamba said political considerations were being placed above justice, and demanded accountability for those facing serious criminal allegations.