Joining the demonstrators over the issue of Gudiya gang rape and murder, Himachal Pradesh Congress on Friday organised a 2-hour long silent prayer at different places to seek justice for the 16 year old victim.
Congress halted its Pathh Yatra, the political campaign being organised to make a personal contact with people of the state at panchayat level, for a day to express its concern over the incident, which has led to unprecedented protests in the State.
leading the prayers at Congress headquarters in Shimla, State president Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu said Gudiya was the daughter of the State and Congress had observed the silent prayers at all the district and block level offices of the party.
He said justice for Gudiya was the prime concern of the party and now when the investigation had been referred to CBI, the State Government would provide all assistance in the investigation. He said the unfortunate incident was a shame for the State and Congress was committed to get justice to the victim, but added that the party wishes that the issue should not be used for petty politics.
Himachal Pradesh IPH Minister Vidya Stokes, MlA from Jubbal Kotkhai also joined the silent prayer at Congress headquarters.
In another peaceful demonstration, the Hamirpur District Congress committee organised silent prayer outside the Deputy Commissioner office. Congress workers expressed their resentment over the politicisation of the Gudiya gang rape.
BJP on Friday continued with its protest against the Congress Government on the issue. Party workers burnt effigies of Himachal Pradesh Government at places and raised slogans. BJP workers organised a dharna in front of DCs office, where former BJP minister Narendra Bargta, district president Sanjay Sood, MlA Suresh Bhardwaj, BJP vice president Ganesh Dutt took part. Addressing the dharna, former minister Narendra Bragta said that the Gudiya incident had belittled the state, which was considered land of Gods.