Nothing more undemocratic than releasing gang rape convicts: Alagiri

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president KS Alagiri on Wednesday said that there could not be a more undemocratic act than releasing the convicts in the Bilkis Bano rape cum murder case on remission.

Describing the convicts' release by the BJP regime in Gujarat on the 75th Independence Day as a blot in Indian history, Alagiri referred to the infamous Gujarat riots and said, “Justice has not been done so far for the murders committed then. But, the men convicted by the court for gang-raping Bilkis Bano and murdering seven others have been released on remission. There cannot be a more undemocratic and illegal act than this.”

Remarking that time is not far to teach a fitting lesson to the Modi regime which showed mercy to those who committed heinous sexual crimes against women, the TNCC chief said the arrogant attitude of the ruling BJP, which intends to do anything using its power, has manifested in the incident.

Stating that it was a matter of consolation that the petition challenging the remission was coming up for the apex court’s consideration, Alagiri referred to the tough stand taken by Indian courts in crimes against women in the aftermath of the Nirbhaya incident in Delhi in 2012 and said that the release of rape convicts by the BJP regime was a grave injustice done to women. There could be nothing more atrocious than the grand reception offered to rape convicts outside the prison by the BJP members, Alagiri cited the incarceration of Teesta Seetalvad, R P Sreekumar and Sanjiv Bhatt who stood for justice in the Gujarat riots case, and said that the people who fought for rape victims have been incarcerated, while those convicted for rape by courts have been freed by the BJP regime. The state Congress president also alleged that the life convicts were offered concessions as they belonged to the VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad).