Badaun case: BJP defamed sisters by raking up rape issue, says Akhilesh

Lucknow: After CBI doubted the rape theory of the two Badaun girls, UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today took the opportunity to launch a veiled attack on BJP saying the party “defamed” the sisters by raking the issue. “This is ‘chalu party’. You all should be aware of this party. It defamed the Badaun girls by raising their rape issue and termed me the worst CM,” Yadav said here on the sidelines of an event. [caption id=“attachment_1677693” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Akhilesh Yadav. AFP[/caption] Yadav was referring the Badaun incident, where two cousin sisters – aged 14 and 15 – were found hanging from a tree in the last week of May. The incident had sparked national outrage with the Samajwadi Party government in the state coming under fire on the issue of law and order situation. A recent Hyderabad-based Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD) report to CBI, which is probing the case, ruled out sexual assault on the teenage girls. Referring to communal tension in Moradabad due to installation of loudspeakers at a religious place, Yadav said this party was more concerned about where to install loudspeakers than other issues. “They are more concerned where to install loudspeakers. In the era of technological advancement, they are stick to such issues,” Yadav said in an obvious attempt to snub his detractors. Attacking further, Yadav said it was easy to be communal but difficult to remain secular. “I can become Hinduwadi anytime but it is difficult to become secular and practice secularism. I challenge them (BJP men) to become secular,” Yadav said. Mentioning “religious conversion” issue that is in news these days, Yadav said it was also raised by some parties. “The government gives Rs 50 thousand to those who marry in other castes. We give money for marrying in other castes…,” Yadav said while trying to drive home the point that concentration should be given on development issues. He also mentioned recent tension that erupted in Faizabad stating that the girl and boy were in a relationship. “You can go and check. In Faizabad the girl and boy were in relationship. The entire issue was given another colour,” he said, adding that, his government was concentrating on development of the state. “We are doing a lot of works for development of the state. We are ahead in doing work but to fail to advertise it,” Yadav said. PTI