West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday described the gang rape, assault and murder of a 19-year-old woman in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, as “barbaric and shameful”.
“Have no words to condemn the barbaric & shameful incident at Hathras involving a young Dalit girl. My deepest condolences to the family..,” Ms. Banerjee said on social media.
She also added, “More shameful is the forceful cremation without the family’s presence or consent, exposing those who use slogans & lofty promises for votes”.
Speaking at an event in north Bengal later in the day, Ms. Banerjee said: “Look how Dalits are suffering today...During elections they visit Dalit homes, bring food from outside and say look we are having food here…and then they torment them…In UP today, how women are being burnt after being raped.”
She said once a crime is committed, the police must act. The police in West Bengal have done so. “What kind of an administration is that police are not taking action and burning the body?”
Earlier, the Trinamool Congress leadership raised concerns over the crime. Party MP and president of party youth wing Abhishek Banerjee described the incident as an “unspeakable crime”.
Hathras rape case: Plea in Supreme Court for CBI or SIT probe
“An unspeakable crime committed in #Hathras under @narendramodi ji’s reign & he was silent. The girl succumbed to her injuries, after battling to stay alive for 15 days & now, @Uppolice has utterly disrespected her remains! #ModiSpeakUp4Dalits if you have any humanity left inside,” Mr. Abhishek Banerjee tweeted on Wednesday.
