Yogi govt denting BJP's image; allow media, politicos to visit Hathras victim's family: Uma Bharti

Senior BJP leader Uma Bharti on Friday slammed the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh over its handling of the Hathras gang rape case, saying it had dented the image of the BJP as its set out to usher in ‘Ram Rajya’ in the country.

Bharti’s stinging remarks came at the time when the Yogi government was embroiled in a controversy over the hurried cremation of the Hathras gang-rape victim and denial of entry into the village to the media and political leaders.

Bharti, a former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and BJP vice president, said she was certain the Adityanath was handling the situation deftly, but the manner in which the victim’s family was confined to their home-raised questions and apprehension.

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“She was a daughter of a dalit family. The police performed her last rites in a hurried manner and now has rounded up the family,” she said.

“We have laid the foundation stone of the Ram Temple and made claims for ushering in Ram Rajya. But the suspicious actions of the police in this incident has dented the image of your government and the BJP,” said Bharti.

She disapproved of the hurried cremation of the gang rape victim and confinement of the victim’s family in the village.

“As per my understanding, there is no rule that stops the family members from meeting anyone while the SIT investigates the matter. Such action raises questions over the SIT investigation,” Bharti said.

“You are an administrator with a clean image. I request you to allow media persons and leaders of political parties to meet the victim’s family,” the said.

Bharti’s remarks came a day after Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were stopped from visiting Hathras to meet the family of the victim. On Friday, a Trinamool Congress delegation, led by Derek O’Brien, was seen jostling with the police at Hathras.