Amid outrage over the alleged sexual abuse of two girls at a school in Maharashtra’s Badlapur, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi slammed the officials for their delayed action in the matter. Gandhi took to X to voice his frustration, and highlight the urgent need for accountability.
In a post in Hindi, Gandhi said, “After West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, Maharashtra too is witnessing shameful crimes against daughters that force us to question the direction in which our society is heading.”
The family of one of the girls claimed they reported the incident to the police on August 16, but the FIR was only registered 12 hours later. The report alleges that the accused, a school attendant, sexually abused the child. The Opposition slammed the BJP-led Mahayuti government in Maharashtra over the delay in police action.
“In Badlapur, no action was taken to deliver justice to two innocent victims until the public took to the streets demanding justice. Will we now have to protest to even register an FIR? Why has it become so difficult for victims to even reach a police station?” Gandhi asked.
The Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha alleged that “more effort is made to hide crimes than to deliver justice, with women and marginalised communities being the biggest victims”.
Gandhi warned that the failure to register FIRs not only discourages victims but also emboldens the criminals.
“All governments, citizens, and political parties must seriously consider what steps need to be taken to ensure a safe environment for women in society,” he said.
“Justice is a fundamental right for every citizen and cannot be subject to the whims of the police and administration.”
Badlapur came to a standstill on Tuesday as thousands of protesters blocked railway tracks and stormed the school where the alleged abuse took place last week. Protesters threw stones at police and vandalised the school. Outraged parents and locals held a “rail rook” protest, blocking local trains from around 8.30 am.
By Wednesday, internet services in Badlapur were suspended, and 72 people had been arrested for their role in the violence. Stone-pelting at the railway station and other areas injured at least 17 city police officers and around eight railway personnel.
On August 17, police arrested a sweeper accused of sexually abusing two girls in a school toilet. The school management then suspended the principal, a class teacher, and a female attendant.
The Maharashtra government suspended three police officials, including a senior inspector, for mishandling the case.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the formation of a special investigation team (SIT) led by senior IPS officer Arti Singh. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde promised swift action against the school and assured that the case would be fast-tracked and the guilty won’t be spared.
