A day after Haryana BJP chief Subhash Barala’s son Vikas Barala and his friend Ashish Kumar were arrested and later granted bail by Chandigarh police for allegedly stalking a woman, Chief Minister Manohar lal Khattar on Sunday ruled out the resignation of State BJP chief saying that the father could not be punished for son’s action.
Even as the opposition parties held protests across the State, demanding resignation of Subhash Barala on moral grounds, the Chief Minister, while defending his party colleague said, “It is an individual issue and law will take its own course.”
“The accused will be punished once found guilty. This is my official stand on this matter. This case has nothing to do with Subhash Barala. Such an act is highly condemnable if proved correct,” said Khattar while talking to the mediapersons at Hisar.
Assuring that the accused would be punished, Khattar said it was incorrect to punish the State BJP chief for his son’s alleged crime.
The woman, 29, a disc jockey, who has accused the two of stalking, wrongful restraint and driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol is the daughter of a senior IAS officer. According to the woman, Vikas and Ashish followed her around for nearly 30 minutes as she drove home around midnight Friday, blocked her car repeatedly and even tried to open her car’s door.
Vikas and his friend were arrested by Chandigarh Police around on Friday midnight. However, both were granted bail on Saturday.
The incident comes as a major embarrassment for the ruling BJP, which had launched the Beti Bachao, Beti Padho campaign and vowed to ensure safety of women.
Sources said that the State BJP chief has been summoned to Delhi by central party leadership for an explanation. As the issue triggered a political outcry, the BJP high command was considering changing the State BJP chief, sources added.
Urging for stringent action against BJP State chief ‘s son, the Congress on Sunday called for implementation of law without fear. Congress leader Manish Tewari said under political pressure, steps are being taken to safeguard 23-year old Vikas Barala, son of Subhash Barala, while adding that irrespective of the fact that the legal process in the case was being stymied, strict action should be taken and an example needs to be set by bringing the guilty to justice.
On the other hand, CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury asked why Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah are “silent” over the alleged stalking of a girl by the son of Haryana’s BJP chief.
Taking to Twitter, the Marxist leader also 0alleged that “someone” was helping the accused.
“Clearly someone is helping the accused here. Why are the PM and BJP president so silent about stalking of womenIJ” he sought to know on the micro-blogging site.
Protesting against the ruling BJP, Congress and Indian National lok Dal burnt Subash Barala’s effigy in various parts of Haryana on Sunday, demanding his resignation.
Haryana Congress chief Ashok Tanwar and ClP leader Kiran Choudhry have condemned the incident.
“The arrogance of power in the BJP, the party which talks about saving girl child, has reached such a level that the son of sitting MlA dared to commit such crime,” Tanwar said.
leader of opposition in Haryana and INlD’s senior leader Abhay Chautala said Subhash Barala is equally guilty and should resign immediately.