CHANDIGARH: Haryana BJP chief Subhash Barala seems to be walking on thin lines as party MP from Kurukshetra, Raj Kumar Saini has demanded that Barala step down after his son, Vikas Barala, was arrested for stalking and attempting to kidnap an IAS officer’s daughter.Vikas was bailed out as charges were diluted.
Raj Kumar Saini said that before the blame game to protect the party’s image begins Subhash Barala must resign. 90 per cent girls don't come in front of camera to narrate their ordeal, this girl took a brave step. It would be wrong if we don't protect her, Saini said.
Raj Kumar Saini added that if a leader cannot sensitise his own family on women’s safety he should stay away from public life. Vikas Barala was drunk and then he stalked a woman which is a serious crime, he added.
The incident has embarrassed the party which is working for women empowerment at both the Centre and state level. The incident mocked the ‘Beti Padhao, Beti Bachao’ drive of the BJP Government, Raj Kumar Saini said.
Raj Kumar Saini also said that Subhash Barala should himself resign and should not wait for the party high command’s decision.
While many leaders chose to stay silent and wait for the consequences, Haryana BJP Vice President Ramveer Bhatti, in a shocking statement said, “What was she doing late at night on the road? She should not have gone out at midnight as the atmosphere is not right. We need to take care of ourselves.’’
Meanwhile, Congress alleged that the Ministry of Home Affairs is trying to hush the case and alleged a conspiracy in the police claims that CCTV footage of the incident is unavailable due to dead cameras.
“This is extremely clear that the BJP is pressurising the Chandigarh administration to protect their leader’s son. The drunk youth followed the girl for seven kilometers, attempted to block her car and forcibly open the door and try to enter, is it not abduction and outraging the modest of a woman? Why have these offences not been lodged? The Prime Minister and chief minister must answer these questions to the people of country,” says Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala.
Surjewala also asked why the FIR is diluted? The word 'sexual' is totally omitted from the police report. How have the CCTV cameras stopped working? Is the BJP trying to protect its leader?’’