While strongly refuting the allegation, the Mayawati government termed it as "baseless and politically motivated". The village, near the Indian capital, has become the epicentre of the movement against land acquisition for an expressway project. In a meeting with an NCW team, village women alleged rape, molestation and sexual assault by policemen who were countering protests over land takeover earlier this month.
Through a statement issued by an official spokesman, the state government has sought to point out that "since there is not an iota of truth in her (Abrar's) statement, it is quite apparent that the NCW's chief had levelled the charges only with a view to gaining a few brownie points before the Congress leadership". "The Congress has already faced much embarrassment because of such irresponsible statements issued by other senior party leaders over the recent past," the spokesman said.
The spokesman urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to reconstitute the commission with apolitical members who would not be guided by the agenda of their respective political parties. "It is a matter of shame that a person holding such an important and sensitive office as the NCW's chairperson would make such wild and absolutely baseless accusations without showing the least sensitivity to the dignity of women," the spokesman said.
"I would like to ask the commission's chief how would she react if such false allegations were levelled against women of her own family," the spokesperson asked. "Anyone holding a high office like the head of the women's commission ought to be displaying more responsible behaviour," the spokesman added.
