Unnao rape case: Yogi Adityanath should be 'beaten with slippers', says Dinesh Gundu Rao; BJP demands apology

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) working president Dinesh Gundu Rao demanded Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath’s resignation over the Unnao rape case and reportedly said that he should be “beaten with slippers”. Speaking at an event organised by Congress in Bengaluru to protest against Unnao and Kathua rape cases, Rao said that Adityanath is unfit to be a chief minister, according to a  Deccan Herald report. DNA quoted Rao as saying that Adityanath was a “disgrace to Indian politics” and that if he had any “decency he should resign”. Rao also asked for Adityanath to be “beaten with slippers”, the report added. The Congress leader  later told ANI, “Not only has a girl been raped, her father was arrested and has died, and the BJP government and the police did not even file an FIR.” BJP has taken a sharp objection to Rao’s choice of words and demanded an apology from the Congress leader. BJP’s Karnataka chief ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa tweeted:

BJP’s Karnataka unit also tweeted that Rao’s statement inciting people to beat Adityanath with slippers shows Congress’ utter contempt for a democratically elected chief minister.

More from Politics

Is Shashi Tharoor’s breakup with Congress inevitable? ‘Naxalism will end in India by March 2026’: Amit Shah at CRPF Raising Day parade

The BJP Karnataka Unit also urged the Election Commission to register a case under Section 153A of the Indian Penal Code.

Rao's statement inciting people to beat Yogi Adityanath with chappals shows Cong's utter contempt for a democratically elected CM. One may vehemently disagree with opponent, but is it right to give a call for violence?

For free elections, EC must register a case under IPC 153A.

— BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) April 15, 2018

Rao on Sunday regretted his “offensive” remarks on the Uttar Pradesh chief minister on Twitter, saying it was an emotional outburst:

My reaction to the Adityanath controversy. It was an emotional outburst in a speech on the plight of the raped victims and the complete apathy by Adityanath govt. I regret if it’s offensive but the abuse of law in UP is a serious issue. https://t.co/LA3hNBxHiF

— Dinesh Gundu Rao/ದಿನೇಶ್ ಗುಂಡೂರಾವ್ (@dineshgrao) April 15, 2018

However, BJP continued its protest against the Congress leader, demanding an apology. Meanwhile, Congress continued to hit out at Adityanath over the Unnao rape incident. Congress communications in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala said Adityanath was the “real culprit” in the Unnao rape case and demanded his immediate resignation. “The real culprit of the Unnao victim, who was reportedly raped in June 2017, and who pleaded at the doorstep of the BJP chief minister, even attempting self-immolation, is no one else but the chief minister Ajay Singh Bisht alias Adityanath, and he should immediately be sacked,” he said.