Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, visited Bool Garhi village in Hathras on Thursday to meet the family of a 19-year-old Dalit woman who was allegedly gang-raped in September 2020. The victim succumbed to her injuries in a Delhi hospital, sparking national outrage and demands for justice.
Arriving at the family’s residence around 11:15 am, Gandhi spent approximately 35 minutes speaking with the bereaved family members. Emerging from the meeting, he refrained from engaging with reporters but later expressed his anguish and condemnation of the situation on social media.
‘Shaken by What I Heard’
In a heartfelt post on X (formerly Twitter), Gandhi stated, “Today, I visited Hathras and met the family of the victim of the shameful and unfortunate incident that occurred four years ago. During the meeting, the things they shared deeply shook me.”
He highlighted the grim reality faced by the family, who he claimed live in a constant state of fear. “The entire family continues to live under a cloud of fear. They are being treated like criminals. They cannot move freely – they are constantly under surveillance by guns and cameras,” Gandhi added.
Unfulfilled Promises and Allegations
Gandhi accused the BJP-led state government of failing to deliver on its promises made to the family after the incident. “Neither have they been given a government job nor has the promise of relocating them to a safer place been fulfilled,” he wrote.
He further alleged that instead of ensuring justice for the victim’s family, the government is subjecting them to harassment. “Instead of giving justice, the government is torturing the victim’s family in various ways, while the accused are roaming freely,” Gandhi claimed.
Backdrop of the Case
The Hathras case drew widespread condemnation in 2020 after the victim’s hurried cremation by local authorities without the family’s consent. It led to nationwide protests and debates over caste-based violence and women’s safety. The incident spotlighted systemic failures in ensuring justice and the treatment of marginalized communities.
A Continuing Fight for Justice
Rahul Gandhi’s visit underscores the Congress party’s continued focus on the plight of the Dalit community and women’s safety issues in Uttar Pradesh. The BJP government, however, has maintained that investigations and judicial processes are underway, with promises of strict action against those found guilty.
The victim’s family continues to seek justice amidst ongoing struggles for dignity and security. Gandhi’s visit, while drawing attention to their plight, also raises questions about the accountability of state authorities and the justice delivery system.
As the nation reflects on the tragedy, Gandhi’s meeting serves as a stark reminder of the unaddressed trauma and unresolved promises surrounding one of India’s most horrific crimes.