New Delhi, Jun 5 (NDTV): Union Minister Uma Bharti has taken on the Yadavs of the Samajwadi Party over the many cases of rape and brutal assault on women reported in Uttar Pradesh, promising that Parliament will discuss the issue.
"They are saying that media is focusing on UP, but this is the only state where politicians (neta) and the government protect rapists," said Ms Bharti, referring to Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's contention that his state is being singled out.
The minister, who was sworn in today as the MP from Jhansi in UP also said, "The state has become insensitive towards crime against women."
Another woman MP from Uttar Pradesh defended the Akhilesh Yadav government. The UP chief minister's wife, Dimple Yadav, who is the MP from Kannuj asserted, "It is not correct to target a particular state."
Several political rivals of Akhilesh Yadav have suggested that Central rule be imposed in the state as outrage grows over the brutal attacks reported from his state every day. Former union home secretary R K Singh, who is now a BJP member of Parliament from Arrah in Bihar, said the situation in Uttar Pradesh is "a fit case" for central intervention.
But the Yadavs have found support today from an unlikely corner. The Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Babulal Gaur said, "Till the time there's no complaint, there can't be any probe. How can Mulayam and Akhilesh be blamed?"
On the defensive, Akhilesh Yadav and members of his family, including father and party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, have made some callous comments of their own.
Attacked over the gang-rape and murder of two teen girls in Badaun in his state last week, Mr Yadav suggested a "Google search" to show that women are not raped in UP alone.
Mulayam Singh Yadav yesterday snapped at reporters when they brought up law and order in the state, saying, "You do your work, I will do mine".
Mr Yadav had infamously said a few months ago, "Should rape cases be punished with hanging? They are boys, they make mistakes." His brother Ram Gopal Yadav said yesterday, "In many places, when the relationship between girls and boys come out in open, it is termed as rape," also blaming "vulgarity, obscenity and violence shown on TV channels" for the many incidents of rape and assault in UP.