"From our wrestlers in Haryana to our sisters in Manipur, Indian women are bearing the brunt of the PM's tacit support for such criminals,” Gandhi said in his letter.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna (X)
Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a letter dated 3 May addressed to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, expressed his deep shock regarding the ‘horrific sexual violence’ unleashed by sitting MP from Hassan, Prajwal Revanna.
Expressing profound concern, Gandhi condemned the sexual assault and filming of hundreds of women by Prajwal, over several years.
He said that Prajwal Revanna brutally assaulted and robbed the dignity of “many who looked up to him as a brother and son”.
Rahul Gandhi also highlighted the need for “strictest possible punishment” against the perpetrator to ensure justice for the victims.
In his letter to Siddaramaiah, Rahul Gandhi expressed his dismay over revelations that G Devaraje Gowda made Home Minister Amit Shah aware of Revanna’s history of sexual violence and the existence of videos filmed by him as early as December 2023.
In the letter, Gandhi further wrote, “What is even more shocking is that despite bringing these gruesome allegations to the notice of the senior most BJP leadership, the Prime Minister campaigned and canvassed for a mass rapist.”
Furthermore, Gandhi accused the union government of allowing Revanna to flee the country, obstructing any meaningful investigation into the matter.
He asserted that the “deeply perverse nature of these crimes” and Prajwal Revanna’s “absolute impunity”, with the blessings of the prime minister and home minister, deserves the strongest condemnation.
“In my two decades in public life, I have never come across a senior public representative who has constantly chosen silence in the face of untold violence against women,” Gandhi said.
“From our wrestlers in Haryana to our sisters in Manipur, Indian women are bearing the brunt of the prime minister’s tacit support for such criminals,” he said.
The Congress leader alongside reiterated his party’s commitment to fight for justice for the victims.
Gandhi acknowledged the Karnataka government’s formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the allegations and stated that he had requested the prime minister to cancel Prajwal Revanna’s diplomatic passport and expedite his extradition to India at the earliest.
Concluding his letter, Gandhi emphasized the collective responsibility to stand with the victims, extending compassion and solidarity as they fight their battle for justice.
He added that “We have a collective duty to ensure that all parties responsible for these heinous crimes are brought to book.”
Revanna, Prajwal’s father and the Janata Dal (Secular) MLA from Holenarasipura in Hassan district, is the son of former prime minister and JD(S) patriarch HD Deve Gowda and elder brother of former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy.
He is also facing allegations of sexually abusing women.
(Edited by Shauqueen Mizaj)
May 18, 2024
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