Amid massive security, Indian National Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, along with three other Congress leaders, on Saturday, 3 October, reached the residence of the kin of the Dalit woman who was allegedly gang-raped and murdered.
After speaking with the victim’s family members, Rahul Gandhi said that “no power can suppress the voice of the family”. Adding to this Priyanka Gandhi assured that the Congress party will fight till justice is delivered. “The family couldn't see their daughter for the one last time. UP CM Yogi Adityanath should understand his responsibility. Till the time justice is delivered, we'll continue this fight,” she said.
Later, Priyanka Gandhi took to Twitter and listed five things which she said were questions from the victim’s family. She wrote in Hindi:
- The Supreme Court should intervene and the matter should be investigated.
- Hathras DM should be suspended and shouldn’t be given any other big posting.
- Why was our daughter cremated without our permission?
- Why are we being misled and intimidated?
- How should we believe that the body that was cremated was our daughter’s?
Gandhis’ visit happened after Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Avnish Awasthi told ANI that a group of five persons can meet the victim’s family.
Earlier, they were allowed to enter UP via Noida, although the Congress delegation was halted briefly at the DND Flyway as the border has been sealed by heavy security.
The Gandhis had set out for Hathras from Delhi with at least 30 other Congress MPs.
The leaders had previously attempted to meet the victim’s family on 1 October, but the Uttar Pradesh Police had detained them near the Yamuna Expressway and an FIR had been lodged against around 200 party workers, including Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi, under sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Epidemic Diseases Act.
“If not this time, then we will try again,” Priyanka Gandhi told the media as she boarded the car earlier on Saturday.
Earlier visuals of Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi leaving their Delhi residence.
(Photo: PTI)
Taking to Twitter, Rahul Gandhi had said that “no power in this world can stop him from meeting the family of the victim and share their grief.”
Massive Security at Delhi-Noida Border; Cong Protesters Lathi-Charged
Ranvijay Singh, ADCP, Noida earlier told ANI that in order to control illegal gathering of people, the security at Delhi-UP border had been ramped up. Several Congress workers were also lathi-charged by the police.
“Section 144 is being violated. In order to control illegal gathering, the security at Delhi-UP border has been ramped up. We appeal for peace, They must (Congress workers) return,” he said.
ACS Home Meets Family, Media Allowed in Hathras
Earlier, Awasthi met the family of the Hathras victim and assured them of stringent action against the guilty.
“We met the family of the victim and assured them that stringent action will be taken against the guilty. SIT is investigating the case. Statements of the family members are being recorded,” he said, as quoted by ANI.
Sadar SDM Prem Prakash said that the restrictions had been lifted and media was now allowed to enter the village of the victim in the Hathras case.
“Since SIT probe in the village is complete, the restriction on media has been lifted. Not more than 5 media persons are now allowed to gather as Section 144 of CrPC is in place,” the SDM told news agency ANI.
(With inputs from Vivek Mishra)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)