Despite repeated incidents of rapes coming to light in Uttar Pradesh, the ruling Samajwadi Party government is unwilling to face the tough questions.
Instead of condemning senior party leader Azam Khan's remark that the brutal gangrape of a mother-daughter duo in Bulandshahr could be a political conspiracy, party leader Jaya Bachchan said everyone is free to speak their mind out.
"I can't say anything about what others say. Everyone has freedom to say what they say. I don't like politicisation of rape. It's being politicised because, elections are approaching," she said.
She likened Congress raising the issue with "crocodile tears" and "torture" and asked them not to do politics over the issue of atrocities and crime against women.
She said she had given notice for discussing the issue several days ago but the notice has not yet been accepted.
"I do not care which part of the country the incidents have taken place. I want to discuss. I do not want to politicise," she said.
However, feeling the heat over the issue, SP leader Gaurav Bhatia said Azam Khan should have refrained from making the remark. Azam Khan should not have made the statement. The family needs to be treated sensitively at this hour," Bhatia said.
The issue of deteriorating law and order resonated in Rajya Sabha but SP leaders vehemently defended their government amid the uproar.
"We are all concerned about women. The UP government has taken prompt action in the Bulandshahr gangrape case," party leader Naresh Agarwal said.
Criticising the SP government, BSP chief and former UP CM Mayawati called Azam Khan's statement 'shameful'. "Rape incidents in UP have not come down. A school teacher was raped in broad day light in Bareilly. Shameful that some SP leaders are calling such incidents as politically motivated," she said.
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