 "Chandigarh stalking case: Political leaders rally behind victim after BJP member's initial insensitive comment")
Days after a case of stalking and drunk-driving involving the son of Haryana BJP chief Subhash Barala was registered with the Chandigarh Police, leaders across political parties have commented and shown support for the victim, who happens to be the daughter of an IAS officer in Haryana. But members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday resorted to blaming the woman involved , questioning why she was allowed to “stay out so late”. “The girl should not have gone out at 12 in the night,” state BJP vice-president Ramveer Bhatti told CNN-News18. “Why was she driving so late in the night? The atmosphere is not right. We need to take care of ourselves.” BJP spokesperson Shaina NC tweeted with a picture of the victim — which was later found to be inaccurate — saying “So called victim beti with Vikas Barala… Story as true as Jasleen Kaur of Delhi and Rohtak sisters.” Shaina soon deleted the tweet and claimed that her account was hacked by someone, and that she did not intend to send the original tweet.
The tweet that @ShainaNC deleted. Don't delete and run away Shaina, as a party spokesperson pls explain pic.twitter.com/Ocf5fycwuN
— Nidhi Razdan (@Nidhi) August 7, 2017
But others in the BJP did come out in support of the victim.
I strongly condemn the eve teasing & stalking incident that has taken place. Men must learn to respect women & thr individual space. 1/2
— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) August 7, 2017
Instead of questioning the girl why she ws out at 12.30am,we must question those individuals & thr mindset tht leads to such harassment. 2/2
— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) August 7, 2017
The Congress has alleged that there is an attempt to brush the case under the carpet to protect Subhash Barala and his son Vikas.
Home ministry which directly controls Chandigarh admin&police conspiring to hush up matter to protect Haryana BJP Pres&his son: RS Surjewala pic.twitter.com/OXheKIiG1r
— ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2017
Impact Shorts
More ShortsCongress workers also staged a protest in Chandigarh to urge the police to bring the culprits to book.
Haryana BJP president Subhash Barala's son stalking case: Congress workers hold protest against BJP in Chandigarh. pic.twitter.com/QNjgV65IsE
— ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2017
The victim had called up the police on Friday night complaining that two youths were chasing her along a stretch of over five kilometres. Vikas (23) and Ashish Kumar (27) were initially arrested but were released on bail hours later. The CCTV footage of the incident was initially claimed by the police to be missing but now has surfaced . While the state BJP ruled out Barala's resignation , its deputy president Bhatti’s comments have been questioned by the National Commission for Women. The victim, in her complaint to the police, had said the two men followed her in their SUV, pulled up the vehicle close to her car several times and even tried to block her way. She told ANI on Tuesday, “I feel it might have been easier if they (the accused) didn’t have connections, but it’s not over till it’s over.”
Whether or not we win this, I know it has raised awareness... If I don't win this, may be the next one will, may be one after that: Varnika pic.twitter.com/Dl1jgAYpnw
— ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2017
Her father, a senior officer in the state government who had taken to social media to urge people to fight crime against women, told that he had full faith in the system and was grateful to Chandigarh Police for “saving” his daughter’s life. On Monday, however, he said that the victim’s family would move court if the charges against the alleged culprits were diluted.
Mere paas sabhi parties ke neta aaye. Maine request kiya hai koi politics na layen. Kewal BJP ke taraf se koi sandesh nhi mila hai: VS Kundu pic.twitter.com/PdKBoJVUUa
— ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2017
DGP has assured me all CCTV footage on the route will be secured and taken as evidence: VS Kundu, girl's father #ChandigarhStalking pic.twitter.com/AMYYxTC8hN
— ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2017
MP from Chandigarh and BJP leader Kirron Kher assured the victim on Monday that justice would be served and had rubbished the claims of the CCTV footage going missing. She also said that the police were under no political pressure and were doing their job. Kher also rejected claims that the accused were booked under lenient provisions as one of them is related to the state BJP leader. The police, too, has denied claims that they were under political pressure in this case. “We are investigating the case from every angle, all cases are different and should not be compared,” Eish Singhal, Chandigarh SSP said.
Not under any pressure, if we were why would we register FIR on very first day? : Eish Singhal, SSP Chandigarh on Vikas Barala stalking case pic.twitter.com/j9FUK5XuCI
— ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2017
Iss case ko ek media trial na banayein, isey chalne dijiye normal course mein. Jo bhi update hoga hum roz dete rahenge: SSP Chandigarh pic.twitter.com/iSFRRHcPvG
— ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2017
