Punjab Education Minister Surjit Rakhra denied making any insensitive remarks pertaining to the Moga bus incident, saying he was being quoted out of context. The Higher Education, Languages and Water Supply minister said he had not visited Moga since the incident took place.

I never made any comment or answered any question about the Moga bus incident. My comments are being twisted and are being quoted out of context by the media.
– Surjit Rakhra, Punjab Education Minister

The Minister said that he had gone to a private college to inaugurate a girls’ hostel in Patiala on Friday.

“There it was proposed that girl’s colleges be opened in surrounding areas and measures be taken to prevent accidents as girls travel from far off areas. I said that we cannot stop all accidents. They (media) raised question about the Moga incident but I said I do not have any direct knowledge about the incident as I was not there.

“But they (media) presented my view in a twisted manner linking it with Moga incident which is quite unfortunate,” he said.

Earlier, Rakhra courted a controversy, saying at Patiala that accidents are “God’s will.” He said, “...who can fight against nature? Accidents do take place even in our homes. There are accidents involving aeroplanes as well, so this is all God’s will,” Rakhra said. “Even we travel every day. We do not know where the accident may happen,” said Rakhra.

On taking precautions to prevent such incidents in further, the cabinet minister said, “We have been taking precautions. We will ensure more steps in future.”

(With inputs from PTI)