Congress chief Rahul Gandhi deflected a question about his stance on the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata, terming the query a distraction. He rejected the question by focusing on his visit to RaeBareli, where he sought justice for a Dalit individual killed in Nasirabad.
His refusal to address the Kolkata incident reeks of hypocrisy to support INDI ally Trinamool Congress (TMC), led by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. This response has also raised concerns that he selectively engages with victims based on political convenience, particularly avoiding cases of crime against women in states governed by his allies.
Rahul Gandhi’s Comments On Kolkata Rape & Murder
On 20 August 2024, Gandhi deflected questions regarding his position on the rape-murder case of a doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. Instead, he highlighted his visit to his parliamentary constituency, RaeBareli, where he claimed to be seeking justice for a Dalit individual killed in Nasirabad. This move has further fueled allegations of selective political manoeuvring.
The Congress scion travelled to Uttar Pradesh to support the family of a Dalit individual who was killed, emphasising his role as Leader of the Opposition.
When Rahul Gandhi was pressed by reporters about why he hadn’t addressed the Kolkata doctor’s rape and murder case, Gandhi responded, “I have come here (Raebareli) to support the family of the victim (Dalit youth). I will not let you distract from this matter. I will speak on the Kolkata doctor rape and murder case later.”
VIDEO | "I have come here (Raebareli) to support the family of the victim (Dalit youth). I will not let you distract from this matter. I will speak on Kolkata doctor rape and murder case later," says Congress MP Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) as he reaches Uttar Pradesh's… pic.twitter.com/geidPmZJoV
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 20, 2024
This response has raised severe concerns about Gandhi’s credibility. It suggests he may only engaget victims in opposition-ruled states while neglecting those in states governed by his allies. This selective approach appears to elevate his hypocrisy to a new level.
Here are a few instances where the Congress scion has shown solidarity with victims in states ruled by rival parties:
Prajwal Revanna Case 2024:
Prajwal Revanna, affiliated with the Janata Dal (Secular) party—an ally of the BJP in Karnataka—was embroiled in controversy ahead of the second phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, held on 26 April 2024. Revanna faced suspension from his party after videos surfaced showing non-consensual sexual acts involving him.
Politicising the issue, Rahul Gandhi addressed a rally in Shivamogga, labelling the situation not merely a sex scandal but “mass rape.” He accused BJP leaders of knowing about Revanna’s alleged crimes yet supporting him and forming alliances with JD(S). Gandhi claimed that Revanna had raped 400 women and recorded the assaults. He demanded an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for campaigning on behalf of Revanna.
Gandhi, in a letter, urged Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to “extend all possible support to the victims” of the alleged sexual abuse case involving Janata Dal (Secular) MP Prajwal Revanna. He wanted to ensure that “all parties responsible for these heinous crimes are held accountable.”
In his letter, Gandhi expressed concern that women across India—from wrestlers in Haryana to sisters in Manipur—are suffering.
Manipur Issue 2023
When Manipur was engulfed in ethnic violence and two Kuki women were paraded naked and sexually assaulted in Churachandpur district, the Congress scion tweeted, “Prime Minister, the issue is not that it’s a shame for the country. The issue is the immense pain and trauma inflicted on the women of Manipur. Stop the violence immediately.”
Prime Minister, the issue is not that it’s a shame for the country.
The issue is the immense pain and trauma inflicted on the women of Manipur.
Stop the violence immediately.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 20, 2023
Bilkis Bano Convicts Released 2022
The BJP government in Gujarat released all 11 individuals convicted of raping Bilkis Bano and murdering seven of her family members during the 2002 Gujarat riots under their remission policy. Gandhi criticised their move.
“Those who raped a five-month-pregnant woman and killed her three-year-old daughter have been released during ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.’ What message are those who claim to champion ‘Nari Shakti’ sending to the women of our country? Prime Minister, the entire nation is witnessing the gap between your words and your actions,” Rahul Gandhi tweeted in Hindi.
5 महीने की गर्भवती महिला से बलात्कार और उनकी 3 साल की बच्ची की हत्या करने वालों को 'आज़ादी के अमृत महोत्सव' के दौरान रिहा किया गया।
नारी शक्ति की झूठी बातें करने वाले देश की महिलाओं को क्या संदेश दे रहे हैं?
प्रधानमंत्री जी, पूरा देश आपकी कथनी और करनी में अंतर देख रहा है।
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 17, 2022
Kathua & Unnao Rape Cases
In 2018, Gandhi and senior Congress leaders, including his mother, Sonia Gandhi, led a midnight candlelight vigil at India Gate in New Delhi. They were demanding justice for two girls, who were raped and murdered in Kathua (Jammu and Kashmir), and Unnao (Uttar Pradesh).
Gandhi’s sister, Priyanka, and her husband, Robert Vadra, were among hundreds of people who participated in the march, which was heavily secured.
Gandhi addressed reporters, stating, “We demand that the government take immediate action. Women and children are being raped and murdered everywhere. This is not a political issue but a national crisis that affects all women in the country. The government must address these atrocities.”
Like millions of Indians my heart hurts tonight. India simply cannot continue to treat its women the way it does.
Join me in a silent, peaceful, candlelight vigil at India Gate at midnight tonight to protest this violence and demand justice.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 12, 2018
He also tweeted, “How can anyone defend the culprits of such horrific acts? The crime in #Kathua is a grave violation of humanity and must not go unpunished. What have we become if we let politics interfere with such unimaginable brutality against an innocent child?” Gandhi faced criticism on social media for his perceived delayed response, especially as some Congress leaders in Jammu seemed to support protests for those arrested in connection with the case.
Gandhi and his sister Priyanka visited Hathras in solidarity with the victim.
It seems that Rahul Gandhi won’t acknowledge the suffering and rights of victims. Instead, he seems to be cherry-picking states where the government must be held responsible for women’s safety. It is apparent from his selective approach, including his recent dismissive response to reporters regarding the Kolkata rape and murder.
By saying, “Don’t distract me,” Gandhi seems eager to safeguard his political prospects. After all, the state where the rape and murder occurred is governed by his ally Mamata Banerjee-led TMC. He appears to prioritise political strategy over genuine concern for the victims’ plight, right to safety, and justice.
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