Lucknow: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visited Bulgadi village in Hathras district to meet the family of a 2020 rape victim whose tragic death had ignited nationwide protests. The Congress MP held a closed-door meeting with the family, spending over half an hour listening to their concerns and pledging support.
Gandhi avoided media interactions after the meeting and departed from Hathras soon afterwards. His visit followed a letter from the victim’s father, appealing for justice and outlining unfulfilled promises from the government.
“My daughter was gang-raped, her spine was broken, and her tongue was cut. The administration cremated her body without our consent, pouring kerosene on her remains,” the father alleged in the letter.
The letter also highlighted that although the victim had repeatedly named all four accused, three were acquitted. The family described their life as being under constant surveillance, encircled by CRPF personnel and frequently questioned by the police. “We are not even allowed to work; the police interrogate us wherever we go,” the father claimed.
During the conversation, the family reportedly expressed frustration over the behaviour of the local Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM).
In response, Rahul Gandhi summoned the SDM to meet the family, but the official did not appear. Gandhi then called the SDM in the family’s presence, emphasising the urgency of their grievances.
Gandhi’s decision to visit was reportedly prompted by the family’s emotional appeal. He and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had previously visited the family on October 3, 2020, assuring them that they would fight for justice.
The visit triggered sharp reactions from Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, who accused Gandhi of attempting to incite unrest. “Rahul Gandhi seems unaware that the CBI has already investigated the Hathras case, and the matter is now in court,” Pathak remarked.
“While Uttar Pradesh is experiencing an industrial boom, Rahul Gandhi is trying to spark chaos and riots. He should refrain from disturbing the state’s peace,” he added.
The visit comes months after a court acquitted three accused in the case, adding a fresh layer of complexity to the politically charged matter.