Political Tensions Erupt Over Assam Gang-Rape Case
Guwahati: The alleged gang-rape of a 14-year-old girl in Dhing, central Assam, on August 22 has ignited a fierce political confrontation between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Opposition Congress. This tragic incident has become the latest flashpoint in the ongoing political rivalry in the state.
On August 24, the Assam BJP took to X (formerly Twitter) to launch an attack on the Congress, accusing the party of defending the accused in the case. According to the police, the accused, Taijul alias Tafazzul Ali, allegedly drowned after jumping into a pond while trying to escape from police custody. The BJP's post on X, accompanied by images of the accused in handcuffs, questioned the Congress's motives and insinuated that the party was protecting the accused due to his community background.
The BJP's post read, "Is it true that @INCAssam is rolling out the red carpet, mobilizing every corner of its vast ecosystem and loyal supporters, to defend their ‘star’ of the Dhing incident who finally faced the music today (August 24)? Must be because he hails from a particular community, right?" This provocative statement was designed to stoke communal tensions and further deepen the political divide in the state.
In addition, the BJP's post continued with a rhetorical question aimed at the Congress, saying, "Assam is just dying to know — because, clearly, such a ‘worthy cause’ deserves nothing less than a well-oiled, covert operation funded by the highest levels, right?" The post also included screenshots of predictions made by some journalists about a possible "encounter" on August 23, suggesting a narrative that the Congress was working behind the scenes to influence the case's outcome.
The BJP further escalated the situation by sharing screenshots of comments made by journalists who criticised the Assam government's practice of "encounters," where individuals accused of crimes are killed without a trial. This move was likely aimed at discrediting the media voices that have been critical of the state's handling of law and order.
In response, the Assam Congress did not hold back. The party issued a scathing reply, accusing the BJP of communalising a heinous crime. "Nothing better was expected from @BJP4Assam than to communalize even rape & murder. To suppress voice of people you’ve started targeting journalists too. SHAMEFUL!" the Congress posted on X.
The Congress went on to highlight its consistent stance on issues of sexual violence, stating that it condemns every incident with equal fervour, regardless of the victims' or perpetrators' caste, creed, or religion. The party's post referenced various high-profile cases across the country, including incidents in Dhing, Lakhimpur, Hathras, Unnao, the molestation of women wrestlers, the rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata, and the garlanding of rapists and murderers of Bilkis Bano. The Congress criticised the BJP for being "influenced" by the "aberrant" Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, suggesting that his leadership was exacerbating the state's communal and political tensions.
Amidst this political warfare, social organisations and activists have condemned the government for its perceived failure to maintain law and order in Assam. However, the state's Director General of Police (DGP), Gyanendra Pratap Singh, defended the police's track record, citing improvements in the state's conviction rates.
During a crime conference at the police headquarters in August, Mr. Singh revealed that the conviction rate under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and special and local laws in Assam had increased from 16.75% in 2023 to 21.84% by July 2024. He attributed this improvement to ongoing judicial reforms and enhanced investigative procedures, which he claimed underscored the police's commitment to delivering justice efficiently.
Furthermore, Mr. Singh highlighted a significant increase in the submission of charge-sheets in criminal cases, which rose from 52.6% in 2023 to 64.56% by July this year. These statistics were presented as evidence of the police's dedication to improving judicial outcomes and ensuring that justice is served in Assam.
As the political and social fallout from the Dhing gang-rape case continues to unfold, the situation remains tense, with both the BJP and Congress attempting to leverage the tragedy to further their respective political agendas. The case has become emblematic of the broader issues facing Assam, where law and order, communal harmony, and political rivalry are increasingly intertwined.
Source:-The Hindu
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