JOIN USLike Sita had to give 'Agni Pariksha', Hathras woman's body was put on pyre: Mamata Banerjee
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday lashed out at the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh alleging that the body of the Dalit woman who was allegedly gang raped and brutalised at Hathras was cremated by force without the consent of her family. Questioning the actions of the Uttar Pradesh government, Mamata asked how can the woman’s body be creamed in such a manner and why no action had been taken against the accused.
“Have no words to condemn the barbaric & shameful incident at Hathras involving a young Dalit girl. My deepest condolences to the family. More shameful is the forceful cremation without the family’s presence or consent, exposing those who use slogans & lofty promises for votes,” tweeted Mamata.
Later in the day, she accused BJP of “committing atrocities” against Dalits. Without naming the party the Chief Minister alleged that they (BJP leaders) bring food from outside and pretend to eat at a Dalit’s house during elections.
“During elections they visit a Dalit’s house. They bring food from outside and claim to have eaten at a Dalit’s house. Then they commit atrocities against Dalits,” said Mamata.
Speaking at a government program at Jalpaiguri in North Bengal Mamata said that even after the woman’s body was cremated, no action was taken by the related state administration.
“Sita had to give 'agni pariksha'. Now in Uttar Pradesh' not only did they rape a Dalit woman, but she was burnt after being raped. If there is a crime police should take prompt action. But she was burnt and no action was taken. What kind of administration is this?” said Mamata.
Without naming that saffron party, she further alleged that “sometimes there are atrocities against minorities, sometimes against Dalits and sometimes against tribals.”
Her comments come at a time when the Trinamool Congress (TMC) is desperate trying to regain ground it lost to BJP in the last Lok Sabha elections. BJP won all the eight seats in North Bengal in the last Lok Sabha elections.