Congress Criticizes BJP on Women’s Safety in Chhattisgarh Press Conference

In a press conference held at the Congress state headquarters in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, National Spokesperson Supriya Shrinate criticized the BJP government for its handling of women's safety, citing over 600 reported rape incidents in the past eight months as evidence of governmental failure. She expressed concern that the current administration, led by Vishnu Deo Sai, has compromised the safety of women, leaving them vulnerable and without support. Shrinate accused the Prime Minister of indirectly encouraging such crimes by protecting those involved in serious offenses, referencing cases like Chinmayanand and individuals like Ram Rahim and Asaram, who have been convicted of serious crimes. In response, BJP State Spokesperson Kedarnath Gupta challenged Shrinate to debate crime statistics, asserting that the BJP has made significant progress in reducing rape cases compared to the Congress regime. He claimed that under Congress rule, 1,294 rapes were reported in the first half of 2023, while the number has decreased by 50% during the BJP's tenure. Gupta also highlighted the BJP's efforts against illegal drug trade, citing numerous cases registered under relevant laws. The BJP accused Shrinate of hypocrisy, suggesting that she was ignoring the Congress party's own failures regarding women's safety. Gupta pointed to the mistreatment of Congress spokesperson Radhika Khera and questioned the departures of prominent Congress leaders, implying that the party has a poor track record on women's issues. As the debate over crime and safety intensifies, both parties continue to clash over statistics and accountability, making this a significant issue as elections approach in Chhattisgarh.