Hindustan Times (Lucknow)

‘Not one person from BJP spoke in support, it’s politics for them’

IAS father says a BJP man instead offered a deal, got the accused bailed

- HT Correspond­ent letters@hindustant­imes.com

Haryana bureaucrat VS Kundu lashed out at the Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday for not “putting in a word of regret” after its Haryana unit chief’s son allegedly stalked his daughter last week.

Kundu’s daughter was chased by two suspects, including Haryana BJP leader Subhash Barala’s son Vikas, as she drove home shortly after midnight on Friday. The case has become a rallying point for women’s rights activists and the BJP’s rivals, who allege that Chandigarh police may be going soft on the suspects because they belong to a powerful family.

“People from the IAS fraternity across the country have sent me messages of support. People cutting across party affiliatio­ns have expressed their support. I am grateful to them for understand­ing our concern and agony. But not a single person from the BJP approached us or cared to send a message... That hurts. If those affiliated to the ruling BJP are hesitant to even put in a word of regret, one can very well understand why they are so diffident. It’s simply about politics for them,” Kundu said.

“However, we are determined. Come what may, we will not back off. And that means even an interventi­on by the almighty,” the father added.

Subhash Barala broke his silence on the issue on Tuesday, saying Varnika was “like a daughter” to him and whatever lawful action is required should be taken against Vikas and his friend Ashish Kumar.

 ?? SANT ARORA /HT ?? Subhasini Ali, chief of All India Democratic Women's Associatio­n, protests with others against son of Haryana BJP president, Subhash Barala, in Panchkula on Tuesday.
SANT ARORA /HT Subhasini Ali, chief of All India Democratic Women's Associatio­n, protests with others against son of Haryana BJP president, Subhash Barala, in Panchkula on Tuesday.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from India