Rahul Gandhi slams Modi over appointment of ‘defender of rapists’ as Education Minister
New Delhi:Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has criticized Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the appointment of Pralhad Joshi as Education Minister, describing him as a “defender of rapists” and a “filthy man”.
According to Kashmir Media Service, speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Gandhi questioned the decision to appoint Joshi following nationwide youth protests over examination irregularities and police action against demonstrators.
Gandhi said Joshi defended those convicted in the Bilkis Bano gang rape case and described his appointment as a “strange reaction” by the Modi government.
“The Education Minister of India, after all these young people were protesting about the education system and so many young girls were protesting and were beaten and thrashed, the BJP puts a man who is a defender of rapists,” Gandhi told reporters.
He said the prime minister had several other choices within his Cabinet but selected a person whom he accused of having supported the release of rape convicts.
Earlier, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra made similar remarks during the Lok Sabha debate on the anti-paper leak bill, triggering protests from treasury bench members.
“The prime minister appointed a new education minister, a person who expressed consent and even happiness over the release of those convicted of raping a pregnant woman…,” Priyanka said.
The Congress later shared an earlier video of Joshi responding to questions about the release of the convicts in the Bilkis Bano case, in which he was heard saying that he did not believe there was anything wrong with the decision.
