BJP slams Cong after Khurshid says party has Muslim blood on its hands
ALIGARH: Former law minister Salman Khurshid has kicked up a controversy with his remarks that the Congress party’s hands were stained with the blood of Muslims. He was addressing students of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) at its annual function on Monday, where he was the chief guest.
His comments prompted the BJP to mount a fresh attack on Congress, saying it was an “acknowledgement” of the grand old party’s “history of engineering” communal riots in the country.
However, the Congress “completely disagreed” with Khurshid, and urged its leaders to refrain from making such “unfounded statements that help the cause” of the ruling party.
The remark came in response to a question by a student who asked how the Congress would “wash off blood stains of Muslims from its hands” and referred to various communal riots and controversial incidents in the past, including the Hashimpura massacre, Muzaffarnagar riots, and Babri Masjid demolition. All these incidents took place when the Congress was in power, the student claimed.
“It is a political question. There is blood on our hands. I am also a part of the Congress so let me say it, we have blood on our hands. Is this why you are trying to tell us that if someone attacks you, we must not come forward to protect you?” Khurshid said.
“We are ready to show the blood on our hands so that you realise that you too must not get blood on your hands. If you attack them, you are the ones who would get stains.”
Later, when journalists questioned Khurshid, he said, “I was defending the Congress party and I made the statement not as a Congressman but as a human being. I will continue (to do) that.”
In Delhi, Congress spokesperson PL Punia said his party disassociated itself from Khurshid’s remark and called for refrain from leaders. He said the Congress was the only party that worked towards building an egalitarian society, before and after Independence.
“All leaders must remember such unfounded statements only help the cause of those in power today who seek to divide the society on caste and communal line to retain and attain power at any cost,” he said.
Asked if the party would take action against Khurshid, Punia evaded a direct reply, saying he need not add anything to what he has already stated.
The Rajasthan police had filed its charge sheet against self-styled godman Asaram in connection with the case of allegedly raping a minor girl in 2013. If convicted, the 72-year-old could be awarded from 10 years to life imprisonment.
Police told court on the basis of mobile call details how Asaram and his four associates plotted to rape the 16-year-old girl at the Manai ashram, 30km from Jodhpur, on August 15, 2013.
In its 1,011-page charge sheet, police included 121 documents and statements of 58 witnesses. Asaram is accused of trafficking, wrongful confinement, criminal intimidation, rape and criminal conspiracy.
Section 370 (4) of IPC (trafficking):
Asaram conspired with Sharad and Shilpi, hostel wardens, to sexually exploit the girl. He was aided by associates Shiva and Prakash who contacted the girl’s father to bring her to Jodhpur.
Section 342 (wrongful confinement):
Asaram called the victim to the room on the night of the alleged incident and locked it from inside. The victim was kept for one-and-a-half hours for sexual exploitation and rape.
Section 354A (sexual harassment), 506, 509 (criminal intimidation, insulting modesty of a woman) and Section 7/8 of POCSO Act (sexual assault):
While holding the victim captive, Asaram opened his clothes and displayed nudity in front of the victim. She was sexually abused even though she continued to oppose. He threatened to kill her and her parents.
While holding the victim captive, the main accused molested the victim by touching her private parts and raped her.
Section 376 (rape): Section 376 (2)(F) (rape on woman below 12 years):
The main accused was guru of the August 20: A 15-year-old girl from Uttar Pradesh files a police complaint in Delhi, accusing Asaram of raping her at his ashram in Jodhpur on August 15. August 21: The case is shifted to Jodhpur and an FIR is registered.
August 23: His supporters attack a police station in Delhi and assault media persons demanding the quashing of the FIR.
August 31: Asaram is arrested from Indore. September 1: He is produced in Jodhpur court, and a potency test is conducted.
September 2: He is remanded into judicial custody. September 26: Additional district and sessions judge Manoj Kumar Vyas receives a postcard warning him of ‘adverse consequences’
November 6: Charge sheet is filed against Asaram and four others in the Jodhpur rape case.
August 1: Asaram is rushedr to a hospital after he complains of ill-health.
August 19: The Supreeme Court refuses bail to Asaram but agreess to set up a board to examine his medical condition.c
September 23: The Supremes Court says Asaram’s health is nott precarious enough to release him on baill. October 15: The Suprreme Court asks AIIMS to set up a medical board to review Asaram’s healtth reports and clinically examine himm, if required. This was in response to Asaram’s plea that he needs bail for medicaal treatment.
victim’s parents for years. The victim herself considered him as God and was studying in a school run by his ashram. Despite person being in a position of trust, the accused raped her.
Section 5 (F)/6 of POCSO Act (any management or staff of an educational institution commits penetrative sexual assault):
The victim was a minor and was studying in January 5: A panel of AIIMS doctors submits a report in the Supreme Court ruling out requirement for any surgery on Asaram, and stating that his illness can be treated through medicine.
January 20: The Supreme Court dismisses the plea for interim bail on the basis of AIIMS report
July 17: Kripal Singh, a withness in the rape case, is shot at by two unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Kripal succumbs to his injuries the day after.
November 25: Rahul Sachan, a witness in all three rape cases (two against Asaram and one against his son Narayan Sai) goes missing from Kaiserbagh bus stand in Lucknow.
August 29: Allahabad high court orders a CBI probe into the disappearance of an important witness.
January 30: Police include fresh chargesc against Asaram for allegedly submitting foorged documents to seek release from jaail.
April 7: A special SC/ST coourt completes hearing the final argumeents, reserves its order for April 25 in the rape case
April 17: Rajasthan highh court directs the special SC/ST court in Joodhpur to pronounce its verdict
a school run by Asaram’s Trust. While being a trustee in the management of the educational institution, the accused raped her.
Section 376D (intercourse by a management or staff of a hospital) and 5(G)/6 of POCSO Act (gang penetrative sexual assault on a child):
By forming a gang with his associates, Asaram raped and sexually abused her.
25: The sppecial court in pur is set to ounnce its verdict in Joddhpur rape case insst Asaram
(Section 376D of IPC has been added because the school staff had told her father that the girl was possessed and had to be taken to Asaram for treatment).
If the prosecution is able to prove its allegations on the basis of police chargesheet, Asaram can be punished with imprisonment for a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life imprisonment.
Punishment: