In a scathing critique of the Uttar Pradesh government’s handling of law and order, Priyanka Gandhi, Congress General Secretary, asserted on Thursday that two underage girls, who were victims of gang rape, tragically died by suicide in Kanpur. In a social media statement on X, Priyanka Gandhi stated, “Two underage girls, who were victims of gang rape, tragically died by suicide in Kanpur. Now, the father of these girls has also taken his own life.” Drawing parallels with previous incidents such as Hathras and Unnao, the Congress leader alleged that the families of the victims were coerced into reaching compromises. “In Uttar Pradesh, it has become routine to dismantle the families of girls and women seeking justice. From Unnao to Hathras and now Kanpur—wherever women suffered, their families were shattered. Being a woman is seen as a crime in this lawless regime where the concept of justice is nonexistent. What are millions of women in the state supposed to do? Where can they turn?” Priyanka Gandhi questioned.
Former Union Minister and Congress leader Pawan Kumar Bansal also criticized the Uttar Pradesh government’s ‘double engine’ approach regarding the Kanpur rape case. “The Kanpur rape case is an utter disgrace to humanity. It indicates that the ‘double engine government’ in Uttar Pradesh has capitulated to criminals!” Bansal remarked in a social media post on X. Expressing concern about the silence of women’s welfare departments, he raised questions about the National Commission for Women’s involvement and the seriousness of the Women and Child Development Minister. He also highlighted the alarming 150% rise in cases of minor girl rape nationwide during the BJP’s tenure and called on the national media to address this issue.
Addressing the BJP directly, the Congress leader questioned why rapists and harassers are being sheltered. Meanwhile, Congress leader Bharat Solanki lamented the media’s silence on the Kanpur incident. “The distressing Kanpur gang rape incident has deeply affected not only the people of Uttar Pradesh but also the entire nation. While assaults on women and minors have surged during the BJP’s governance, the silence of the national media is concerning,” Solanki remarked in a social media post on X.
