New Delhi, 14 November (H.S.): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday accused the Congress of adopting double standards on the issue of women's dignity and safety, alleging that the party frequently raises slogans in support of women but remains silent when serious allegations are levelled against its own leaders.

Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters, party MP Bansuri Swaraj questioned the Congress over allegations of rape against its Jharkhand MLA Bhushan Bara involving a 14-year-old tribal girl, as well as the appointment of Manipur Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam to key election committees despite sexual harassment allegations against him.

Swaraj said the Congress's conduct contradicted its public assertions on women's rights and dignity.

Referring to Chhath Puja, she said that while the country was celebrating its cultural traditions and worshipping Chhathi Maiya, whom she described as a symbol of creation, the Congress was repeatedly disrespecting women.

She described the allegations against Bara as particularly disturbing, noting that they had emerged around the observance of Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, which marks the birth anniversary of tribal icon Bhagwan Birsa Munda. She referred to the registration of a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in connection with the complaint filed by the 14-year-old girl.

Swaraj alleged that the MLA had lured the girl with promises of education and a better life, made her perform household chores, assaulted her and subsequently sexually abused her. Describing the allegations as deeply disturbing, she questioned whether the Congress leadership had sought an explanation from the legislator.

She also questioned the silence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, asking whether the party had demanded an account from its MLA. Referring to the Congress slogan 'Smash the Patriarchy', she asked how long the party would continue what she termed a policy of silence in the face of serious allegations.

Swaraj also accused the Congress of applying double standards in the case involving Manipur MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam. She said 11 female students of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) had levelled serious allegations of sexual harassment against him. Following an internal inquiry, JNU had ordered his dismissal from university service.

She questioned the Congress's decision to assign Akoijam key organisational responsibilities ahead of the forthcoming Manipur Assembly elections. He has been named to the party's election and campaign committees and appointed co-chairperson of its manifesto committee.

However, Akoijam has denied the allegations, and the Delhi High Court has stayed JNU's dismissal order.

Swaraj said the Congress's decision to give him important responsibilities despite the allegations was inconsistent with its stated commitment to women's dignity and safety.

Highlighting the policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, she said the Centre viewed women not merely as beneficiaries of welfare schemes but as nation-builders and self-reliant entrepreneurs.

In contrast, she accused Rahul Gandhi of relying on slogans on women's empowerment while remaining silent on serious allegations involving leaders from his own party.

Swaraj said voters, particularly women, were closely observing the Congress's conduct and would hold the party accountable for what the BJP described as its contradictory stand on women's issues in the upcoming elections.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar