Opposition parties on Tuesday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the release of 11 people
convicted for rape and murder in the Bilkis Bano case of the 2002 Gujarat riots within hours of his praise for "Nari Shakti" in his Independence Day speech and said this is the "real face" of New India under the BJP.
The attack by the opposition parties came a day after the BJP-led Gujarat Government released the convicts, serving life imprisonment for the gang rape of a pregnant Bilkis Bano and murder of seven of her family, under its remission policy. The convicts, who were also charged with killing the pregnant Muslim woman's three-year-old daughter, were welcomed with sweets and garlands outside the jail.
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said Prime Minister Modi should tell the country if he himself believed in his words when he spoke about the safety, respect and empowerment of women.
"The BJP Government in Gujarat released 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano gang rape case. This decision brings out the BJP Government's mindset," he said at AICC Press briefing.
The party also referred to the Kathua and Unnao cases and said it embarrasses everyone in politics when office-bearers and supporters of a national political party are seen taking out a rally in favour of rapists on the streets.
"Yesterday, from the ramparts of the Red Fort, the Prime Minister spoke big things about women's safety, women's power, women's respect. A few hours later Gujarat government released those behind rape.
We also saw that convicts in rape who were released are being honoured. Is this Amrit Mahotsav," Khera said.
Shiv Sena leader and a Rajya Sabha member Priyanka Chaturvedi reminded the fact that guidelines on prisoner release stipulates that rape convicted aren’t eligible for remission. “nari Shakti. Not,” she tweeted while taking a swipe on Modi’s Independence Day speech.
While CPI(M) also strongly condemned the release of the convicts, saying "this is the real face of New India — convicted killers and rapists released" and activist Teesta Setalvad "who fought for justice was jailed", Trinamool Congress spokesperson Saket Gokhale said Bilkis Bano was "raped in the 2002 Gujarat pogrom and her entire family was murdered and buried in a mass grave".
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi also targeted Prime Minister Modi over their release.
In his Independence Day speech, Modi had asked Indians to take a pledge not to do anything that lowers dignity of women, Owaisi said.
"He said something about supporting 'Nari Shakti'. Gujarat BJP Govt released criminals convicted of gang rape on the same day. The message is clear," Owaisi tweeted.
Bahujan Samaj Party MP Danish Ali also referred to Prime Minister's remarks and said release of 11 convicts has exposed huge gap between words and the spirit of justice.
"The world is watching but who cares in 'New India'?" he tweeted.