The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday accused the Congress of maintaining a double standard regarding the dignity, safety, and empowerment of women. During a press conference, BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj alleged that while the Congress publicly advocates for women's rights, it remains silent when its own leaders face accusations of misconduct.
Ms. Swaraj highlighted three specific cases: Jharkhand Congress MLA Bhushan Bara, accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old tribal girl; MP Vimal Akoijam, who faces sexual harassment allegations at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU); and Uttarakhand leader Harak Singh Rawat, who was previously accused of raping a woman from Assam. The woman in Rawat's case, who claimed she became pregnant following the abuse, has requested a DNA test for her son. All three Congress leaders have denied the allegations.
Referring to the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda and Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, Ms. Swaraj called the allegations against Bhushan Bara deeply shameful. She questioned the silence of Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, describing their slogans against patriarchy as hollow.
Ms. Swaraj further contrasted this with the BJP government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which she claimed is empowering women to be self-reliant nation-builders, while alleging that the Congress continues to insult women.
