Rahul Gandhi’s Response
On August 20, 2024, Rahul Gandhi, the MP from Raebareli, was visiting his constituency where a Dalit youth had been murdered. During his visit, he met with the victim’s family. When asked about the Kolkata rape-murder case, Rahul Gandhi ignored the question and said he did not want to distract from the Dalit murder case.
BJP’s Reaction
The BJP criticized Rahul Gandhi for not addressing the Kolkata case, which has sparked nationwide outrage and has been taken up by the Supreme Court. BJP asked if the Supreme Court was also involved in distracting from the issue.
Rahul Gandhi’s Statement
Regarding the Kolkata case, Rahul Gandhi said, “I don’t want to divert attention by discussing the Kolkata issue here. I’ve already commented on it, but I want to focus on the current issue.”
He also criticized the media, saying, “I know you don’t want to focus on this issue and want to distract from it because you don’t want to discuss Dalit issues. I am here to address and protect Dalit concerns, so I won’t allow any distractions.”
BJP’s Counterattack
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla responded, saying, “It’s shocking that Rahul Gandhi says discussing the Kolkata case is a distraction. This issue has shaken the nation’s conscience. How can he call it a distraction? Is the Supreme Court also distracting from the issue?”
Poonawalla added, “Rahul Gandhi travels to Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh but avoids Bengal, where it is crucial to defend the Constitution. He doesn’t speak against TMC, which is part of the Opposition alliance. His attitude disrespects the women protesting, the victim’s family, and the victim herself. He should apologize.”
