New Delhi: Rajasthan unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday organized ‘hall bol’ protests across the state over rising number of rape cases in the state.
BJP state president Satish Poonia staged a sit-in protest against Ashok Gehlot government in Jaipur, in connection with rape of two minor girls in Baran district of Rajasthan.
As the numbers of protesters saw groundswell, the police took Satish Poonia in custody. This led to clashes between Jaipur police and BJP workers.
Satish Poonia slammed the Ashok Gehlot government, saying that under his regime, the state has recorded most number of crimes against women and has become the ‘crime capital’ of country.
Satish Poonia also said that they have sought an appointment with Rajasthan Governor in this matter, where they will impress upon the latter on rising atrocities against women in the state.
“We have sought an appointment from the Governor, we will meet him in a day or two,” Satish Poonia was quoted by ANI.
The recent gangrape of twin sisters in Baran area of Rajashtan ignited these protests. Two minor girls went missing from their house on September 19 and were recovered on September 22. The younger sister told media that both of them were raped by 3-4 men.
Ashok Gehlot received a lot of flak for not acting in the ease earnestly and rather projecting theories which ‘maligned the character’ of these two girls.
An account of rising rape cases in Rajasthan
According to data by National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) for 2019, Rajasthan tops the list, when it comes to rape or attempt to rape cases.
Between 2018 and 2019, there was a drastic increase of 49.11 per cent in cases of crimes against women in Rajasthan. Ashok Gehlot became Rajasthan Chief Minister in 2018.
When it comes to IPC section 376 (rape), Rajasthan leaves behind other states with an incidence (FIRs registered) of 5,997 and 6,051 victims, translating into a crime rate of 15.9 while the nation average crime rate for rape stands at 4.8.
