Rahul Gandhi Slams Treatment of Unnao Rape Survivor
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday strongly criticised the alleged ill-treatment of the Unnao rape survivor. He said India is not only becoming a dead economy but also a dead society. His remarks came after the survivor protested in Delhi against bail granted to former BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar.
Gandhi said the survivor should be treated with dignity and respect. He said she deserves justice and safety, not fear and harassment. He questioned the manner in which a gang rape survivor was allegedly treated during her protest.
Questions Over Bail to Kuldeep Singh Sengar
Rahul Gandhi expressed disappointment over the bail granted to Sengar. He said the decision was shameful and painful. He highlighted that the survivor continues to live under fear while seeking justice.
In a post in Hindi on social media platform X, Gandhi asked whether raising a voice for justice was a crime. He said the survivor showed courage by protesting peacefully. He questioned why she was allegedly being treated like a criminal.
“Dead Economy, Dead Society”: Gandhi
The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said granting bail to rapists sends a dangerous message. He said treating survivors like offenders reflects a deep moral failure. Gandhi stated that such incidents show society is losing its humanity.
He added that democracy allows people to protest and express dissent. Suppressing voices demanding justice is a crime, he said. He stressed that the survivor deserves support, not intimidation.
Survivor Calls Bail Order “Death” for Family
The 2017 Unnao rape survivor described the Delhi High Court order as “kaal” or death for her family. She said she would approach the Supreme Court against the decision. The survivor and her mother staged a protest near Mandi House in Delhi.
They protested against the suspension of Sengar’s jail sentence in the rape case. The survivor said the bail order has increased fear for her safety and that of her family.
Conditions Imposed by Delhi High Court
The Delhi High Court imposed strict conditions while granting bail. It directed Sengar not to come within five kilometres of the survivor’s residence. The court also barred him from threatening the survivor or her mother.
The court said any violation of these conditions would automatically cancel the bail. Despite the bail in the rape case, Sengar will remain in jail. He is serving a 10-year sentence in the custodial death case of the survivor’s father.
Background of the Unnao Rape Case
The survivor was a minor when she was kidnapped and raped in 2017. The case had sparked nationwide outrage. It remains one of the most sensitive cases involving crimes against women.
The latest developments have once again raised questions about survivor safety and justice delivery in India.
