Badaun gang rape: BJP protests in Lucknow, says Centre will intervene if UP ... - Times of India

NEW DELHI/LUCKNOW: The BJP on Monday stepped up pressure on the UP government over the Badaun gang rape and murder case and said the Centre will intervene if UP governor BL Joshi sends a report on the situation in the state.

BJP workers, led by its women's wing, protested outside chief minister Akhilesh Yadav's office in Lucknow on Monday morning.

Police had to use water canons to disperse the protesters.

The Union home ministry has asked UP govt why SC/ST Act was not slapped against culprits in the Badaun gang rape and murder case, according to MoS home Kiren Rijiju.

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Meanwhile, Union minister Kalraj Mishra described the law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh as "very grave" and said the central government would step in if UP governor sends a report on the situation in the state.

Talking to reporters, the micro, small and medium enterprises minister made it clear that the Centre will not intervene on its own but would certainly consider "appropriate action" if the governor sent a report.

He blasted the state government for not being able to provide security to women in the state and alleged that the government was soft on criminals.

READ ALSO: Two accused 'confess' in Badaun rape and murder case

Earlier, the Uttar Pradesh unit of the BJP sought the Union home ministry's intervention over the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.

This follows a first-hand probe by the party's state unit in the recent rape and murder cases in Badaun, Etawah and Azamgarh.

State BJP president Laxmikant Bajpayi said crime against women was on the rise and the Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party government had failed to control the situation.

READ ALSO: UN condemns rape and murder of two girls in UP

He said that since Samajwadi Party activists were involved in most such crimes, police do not act against them.

He also asked why chief minister Akhilesh Yadav did not visit the family of the two sisters who were assaulted, gang-raped and murdered in Katra Sadatganj village of Budaun.

(With inputs from agencies)

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