Lucknow : Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav on Monday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of politicising the Ayodhya rape incident. "BJP wants to start conspiracy before the elections. Their aim from the very first day has been to defame the socialists. Their mentality, especially towards Muslims is undemocratic and unconstitutional, Yadav told reporters here today.
Further speaking with reference to the case of gangrape of a 12 year old girl in Ayodhya, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister defended his previous remarks and asked what is wrong in seeking a DNA test of the accused.
Yadav had previously stated that the Uttar Pradesh government had amended the law in 2023 and mandated DNA tests for any provision for punishment of more than seven years.
"This is their (UP govenment's) amended law of 2023 which mandated that a DNA test should be done if there is any provision for punishment of more than seven years for someone, then what is wrong with this demand and their family members are also saying and the police knows the truth...No matter how much they do, the public has no hope from them..." Yadav said.
Apart from the Ayodhya gangrape incident Yadav further cited two more instances where he said that the BJP had acted to defame the Samajwadi Party.
Taking pot shot at Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, the SP chief said, If a 'Yogi' does not believe in democracy, the Constitution, he cannot be a 'Yogi'.
"The first incident is Hathras in which the BJP MLAs and leaders had written for permission for a program of a Sadhu. But the administration did not make arrangements properly and as a result, a large number of people lost their lives," Yadav said.
"Secondly, you must have seen in Gomti Nagar, the police had given the entire list but the CM and the government of the BJP want that the police to become workers of the BJP. When the police gave the list of all the names, then why did the CM take only the names of Yadavs and Muslims? The name of the Yadav that was taken, it is being heard that he was not there in the camera footage. He had gone to have tea and the police found a Yadav, so he was sent to jail.
I want to tell you that such people who are violating the law and are working as workers of the BJP, whenever the (SP) government comes, action will be taken against such officers also. And the third example is of Ayodhya." the SP chief said.
Akhilesh Yadav was speaking to reporters today at the Janeshwar Mishra Park at Gomti Nagar in Lucknow to pay tribute to the late Samajwadi Party leader Janeshwar Mishra on the occasion of his birth anniversary.
Meanwhile, SP MP from Faizabad (Ayodhya), Awadhesh Prasad, said, "This incident is extremely shameful. Samajwadi Party stands with the victim. Whoever is accused should get the harshest punishment, the accused should be hanged. The party has formed a high-level committee and has asked it to submit its report as soon as possible, action will be taken based on the report."
Prasad further demanded from the government provide security to the rape victim and her family. Samajwadi Party demands that the government should provide security to the victim and her family and give them at least Rs 20 lakh." Prasad said.
Earlier on Sunday, Akhilesh Yadav urged the court to ensure the Ayodhya rape victim's safety considering the sensitivity and seriousness of the matter.
In a post on X, Akhilesh said, "The government should ensure the best medical care for the rape victim. The government is responsible for protecting the girl's life. I humbly request the Honorable Court to take suo motu cognizance of the situation and ensure the victim's safety under its supervision, considering the sensitivity and seriousness of the matter.
A 12-year-old girl was allegedly raped by two men in Ayodhya.
A bakery owner Moid Khan and his employee Raju Khan were arrested from the Purakalandar area in connection with the case on July 30. A case was filed against Khan for allegedly threatening the victim's family to settle the case. He was arrested on Thursday for raping the girl over two months.
Khan and his househelp were accused of raping and blackmailing the 12-year-old girl who worked as a daily wage employee at Khan's home in Ayodhya. On Saturday, the Ayodhya administration demolished the bakery of Moed Khan.
In a previous post on X, Akhilesh Yadav said, "In the case of misdeeds, the way for justice should be found by getting DNA tests done on those who are accused, and not by merely making allegations and doing politics. Whoever is guilty should be given full punishment according to the law, but if the allegations are proven false after the DNA test, then the government officials involved should also not be spared. This is the demand for justice."