Rahul speaks to girl's father, assures Cong stands with family
2
Bhubaneswar: Congress MP
Rahul Gandhi
on Wednesday spoke to the father of the Balasore girl who self-immolated on college premises on Saturday over alleged inaction against her sexual harassment complaint against a faculty member.
The leader of opposition in Lok Sabha assured the girl's father that he would be with the family members in their fight for justice.
Rahul wrote in an X post, "Spoke with the father of the brave daughter who lost her life in the fight for justice in Odisha's Balasore. In his voice, I could feel the pain, dreams, and struggles of his daughter. Assured him that the
Congress party
and I stand with them at every step. What happened is not only inhumane and shameful but also a wound to the entire society.
We will ensure that the victim's family receives full justice."
When asked, the father of the girl said, "Rahul Gandhi told me that he will be with me in this fight seeking justice for my daughter. He said the whole country is with my family. The Congress leader also said that he will do whatever he can."
In a related development, Congress on Wednesday announced a plan to gherao Parliament during the upcoming monsoon session, beginning July 21, over the Balasore girl's death.
Launching an attack on the Odisha govt, All India Mahila Congress president Alka Lamba demanded the resignation of chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi and the imposition of President's rule in the state. Lamba, in a press conference at Congress Bhawan here, said Rahul expressed outrage on the girl's suicide. He also spoke to the girl's family members on Wednesday morning, she added.
Lamba said Odisha has become a death trap for women.
"The issue of atrocities against women in Odisha has shaken the entire country. Crime against women increased in nine BJP-ruled states, including Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha. In Odisha, the police are hesitant to take action due to rising political interference and pressure," Lamba said.
She claimed the govt could have prevented these crimes if it wanted to, but did nothing.
BJP state vice-president Biranchi Narayan Tripathy said BJD and Congress have crossed all limits of insensitivity and are indulging in petty politics on the issue.
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