New Delhi, Sep 22 (IANS): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday disagreed with Bihar Minister Shrawon Kumar’s remarks regarding the molestation of a minor girl in the state’s Jamui district, while the Congress said that Kumar would have “felt the pain” if it was someone from his family.
Outrage over the incident intensified after Shrawon Kumar said that “sporadic incidents keep happening” and that the government was keeping a watch on them.
Speaking to IANS, BJP chief spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo said: “We completely disagree with his statement. This is absolutely not a sporadic incident. It is a shameful incident and one that sends shivers down the spine.”
“The victim is a minor and the way people with perverted mentality molested her, this is definitely not a small incident…Others also have daughters and such an incident can happen with anyone,” he added.
Maintaining that the police have already arrested one person and apprehended three minors accused in connection with the case, the BJP leader said: “Three of the four who have been caught are minors, so society should also introspect, how are children being brought up in today’s time and age that they are resorting to such things.”
Meanwhile, Pratul Shahdeo welcomed the Bihar Police’s immediate action in the case, saying: “There is no doubt that police are doing their best…strict action should be taken against the accused in order to set an example for society.”
BJP national spokesperson Guru Prakash echoed the sentiments, saying: “No, this is not an isolated incident. It is an extremely sensitive matter, and the government is taking the strictest possible action. There is no hesitation in saying that this incident has shaken us deeply. There are some incidents that cannot be justified in any way. Law and order are our priorities, and the people of Bihar have placed their trust in us.”
“We will ensure such strict action is taken against those connected to the incident, that no one dares to indulge in such acts in the future,” he asserted.
Terming it a “painful” incident, Congress MP Karamvir Singh Boudh said: “If Shrawon Kumar calls this incident a small incident, he should take responsibility….Strict action should be taken against such people, and as far as Shrawon Kumar is concerned, I think he should undergo a medical check-up.”
He added that such incident instill fear among girls who go to school and colleges and, therefore, strict action is required against the accused.
Congress leader Udit Raj added: “If something like this had happened to Shrawon Kumar’s family member, he would have felt the pain. Since it is someone else’s family, he does not feel it. Secondly, this is the character of ministers in the BJP government…They do not understand the dignity of other people’s daughters and sisters.”
