A rape survivor in UP’s Unnao is battling for her life, with 90 percent burns, after five men, including two accused of having raped her in December 2018, allegedly set her on fire on Thursday, 5 December, while she was on her way to court.
Leaders from across the political spectrum have condemned the incident and urged the government to take stringent action against the perpetrators.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi hit out at the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh over the law and order situation in the state.
“The BJP government's statement yesterday was that all is well in UP. Today, another statement has come. But it is the responsibility of the CM and UP government to issue false statements and false propaganda," she said.
NCP chief Sharad Pawar expressed shock and asked the Centre to take immediate cognizance of the incident.
Pawar also alleged that the incident would not have occurred if the culprits were prosecuted "in time".
Senior NCP leader Praful Patel pointed how the incident took place a few days after the brutal rape and killing of a veterinary doctor from Hyderabad.
The Unnao incident took place in Sindupur village under Bihar police station area. The rape survivor has been shifted to a hospital in Lucknow where she is battling for life with 90 per cent burns, the police said, PTI reported.
In her statement to police, she has named five men, all of whom have been arrested.
The woman was allegedly raped in December 2018, after which she filed an FIR and one of the two accused was arrested while the other remained at large. The one arrested was later granted bail.
The rape accused out on bail and the one absconding are now accused of having set her on fire, along with three others.
‘State Govt Should Take Moral Responsibility’
Taking note of the incident, which made headlines across the country, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed officials to provide the best possible treatment and ensure strict action against the accused
Meanwhile, the Samajwadi Party condemned the BJP government and demanded the resignation of the DGP.
“The state government should take moral responsibility of the incident and resign,” SP supremo Akhilesh Yadav said in a tweet in Hindi.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) also stepped in, with its chairperson Rekha Sharma writing to state Director General of Police OP Singh.
She sought an action taken report from the Uttar Pradesh police as well as a detailed report on the number of reported heinous crimes committed against women and bail granted in such cases in the last three years, according to PTI.
‘Complete State of Lawlessness in UP’
NCP leader Supriya Sule said, “If the culprits were not shielded and prosecuted in time this wouldn't have happened. Complete state of lawlessness in the state of Uttar Pradesh.”
Samajwadi Party leader Jaya Bachchan said what happened in Unnao is a "very shameful incident" and that they were not able to raise the issue in the House, according to ANI.
"“What is happening in the country? If we use strong language, we are asked not to do so... Not only the incident in Unnao, but the one in Chitrakoot shows that the situation in the whole of Uttar Pradesh is bad. The law and order situation is in disarray," she added.
The Aam Aadmi Party said all governments should “rise above politics and work together for the safety of women.”
(With inputs from from PTI.)
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