Ashok Gehlot's remarks on rape sparks criticism, BJP attacks

Ashok Gehlot addressed the centre on the law on the death penalty for rape convicts…

Chief Minister of Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot commented on death penalties and rape cases, drawing back to the case of December 16, 2012, the Nirbhaya gang rape case.

Speaking of the case he said, “Ever since the death penalty was introduced after the Nirbhaya incident, there has been a surge in killings of the victims. The accused, trying to eliminate witnesses and evidence in the case, kills the victim after the sexual assault.

There has been a surge in such cases in the country, I have seen”. His remarks drew huge criticism, and his aide shared data backing up his remark on Sunday. BJP alleged that Gehlot’s remarks were “distorted” and Shashikant Sharma OSD, (Officer on special duty) to the chief minister cited a report to back up Mr. Gehlot’s remarks. 

At the event, Gehlot took sharp turns the events as he spoke about rape cases in the country to the central government saying that “Crime cases are on upward trend in the country and in the state whether communal or otherwise”. The video of Gehlot’s speech at the event was shared online and became viral. 

The Nirbhaya incident, on December 16, 2012, in Delhi was the case of gang rape of a 23-year-old paramedic student on a moving bus. The case led to massive outrage in the country and called for stricter laws in cases of sexual assault. The four convicts of the case were hanged to death in March 2020 after a long legal battle fought by the family.

Gehlot’s remarks were welcomed with huge criticism as the Deputy leader of opposition in the Rajasthan assembly, Rajendra Rathore, said that his statement is utterly “unfortunate and shameful”.  

Nirbhaya’s mother Asha Devi also commented on the uncalled remarks as she said, “Even before the provision came girls were murdered. This shows their (CM Gehlot) mentality of supporting culprits while they don’t have the sympathy for victims. This law isn’t bad people’s mentality is. He must apologise and should give his resignation” she told ANI.