NEW DELHI: After facing criticism from the BJP over the alleged gang rape and robbery of a woman in central Bengaluru, Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah hit back by questioning whether such incidents had not also occurred during the BJP’s tenure, sparking uproar.
“Did rape incidents not happen during the BJP tenure? There should be no rapes. Women should get security, but some sociopathic people do [commit such crimes],” Siddaramaiah said while addressing media.
The incident in question occurred when a woman, waiting for a bus to Yelahanka at Bengaluru’s KR Market, sought directions from the accused. Reports state that the accused lured her to Godown Street under the pretense of assisting her and allegedly gang-raped her. The matter came to light after the survivor filed a complaint at the Bangalore Central Women’s Police Station.
Providing updates on the investigation, Bengaluru city police commissioner B Dayananda confirmed that two suspects had been arrested in connection with the case.
Leader of opposition R Ashoka, however, seized the opportunity to attack the Congress government, accusing it of failing to ensure law and order in the state.
“Law and order in the state has collapsed to the bottom. The common people are living in fear. There is no environment where girls can move around safely. How long will you continue to run such a bad government by clinging to your chair? Resign from your position and free the people of the state from this misrule and anarchy,” Ashoka posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Meanwhile, chief minister Siddaramaiah, during his address at the ‘Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan’ rally in Belagavi district, reiterated the Congress party’s commitment to Mahatma Gandhi’s ideologies. He took a jibe at the BJP, claiming the party was against Gandhian principles.
He pointed out the significance of Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of Gram Swarajya and called for the propagation of Gandhian values to future generations. Referring to the AICC session Gandhi presided over in Karnataka a century ago, Siddaramaiah noted its historic role in intensifying the freedom struggle.