‘UP ke do ladke … ‘: BJP targets Congress, SP over Kannauj-Ayodhya rape bid

NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a scathing attack on Tuesday against the Congress and the Samajwadi Party (SP) and accused them of shielding criminals and displaying insensitivity toward victims of serious crimes in Uttar Pradesh.
The BJP’s criticisms came in response to allegations involving party members in two separate incidents of sexual assault attempts in Ayodhya and Kannauj.
BJP spokesperson and MP Sudhanshu Trivedi addressed a press conference and condemned the Samajwadi Party’s handling of the incidents, particularly highlighting the case of Mohid Khan, an SP leader accused of raping a minor in Ayodhya. Trivedi criticised the party’s response as insensitive and politically motivated, noting the lack of empathy shown toward the victims.
“In Kannauj, another SP leader has been accused of attempting to rape a minor girl,” Trivedi said. “The issue is not just the crime but the brazen insensitivity shown by the party toward such serious allegations.”
“In Kannauj, another SP leader has been accused of attempting to rape a minor girl,” Trivedi said. “The issue is not just the crime but the brazen insensitivity shown by the party toward such serious allegations.”
Trivedi recalled former SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav’s controversial remark, “Boys will be boys, they make mistakes,” referring a past case where two rape victims committed suicide due to a lack of justice in UP.
Referring to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav as “UP ke do ladke” (the two boys of UP), Trivedi remarked, “Since the power of these two boys has increased, the courage of criminals has also grown. Crime and criminals should not be judged on the basis of religion, ideology, or political party. They should be seen as criminals only. ‘Apradh aur Apradhiyon ka Sahaj Saath’ (Crime and Companionship with Criminals) have been in the DNA of the Samajwadi Party. This is enough to describe the political DNA of the Samajwadi Party.”
The BJP spokesperson further accused a female SP leader of making insensitive remarks about the Kannauj incident, questioning why the 15-year-old victim was out at night seeking employment. “This reflects the true nature of the Samajwadi Party and their tendency to provide cover for criminals,” Trivedi added.
Trivedi also criticised the Congress, questioning the silence of its leaders on these incidents. “Where is Priyanka Gandhi, who claimed to be a champion for women’s rights with her ‘I am a girl, I can fight’ slogan? Why are their voices silent from Ayodhya to Kannauj to Kolkata?” he asked. “It seems like they only have love for criminals, terrorists, corrupt individuals, rioters, and rapists.”
The BJP’s attack on the opposition parties also included a broader critique of the Congress and its allies in the INDI alliance, accusing them of giving a “political crime cover” to criminals. Trivedi stressed the need for a sensitive and honest discussion on such matters, urging all parties to prioritize justice over political alliances.