New Delhi: Manoj Jha, a Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP, voiced his deep concern on Wednesday about the alarming rise in rape cases in the country. He stressed the urgent need for action, underlining the importance of not just talking, but walking the talk when it comes to dealing with such serious crimes.
The Rajya Sabha MP compared the BJP’s handling of the 2020 farmers’ protest to the TMC’s response to the ongoing student protests in West Bengal, condemning India’s lack of a suitable approach to protest management.
“There is a way to deal with protests. We saw during the farmers’ protest in 2020 that spiked barricades were used. There should be an understanding of protests, which is lacking in this country,” he told IANS.
Indirectly referencing BJP MP Kangana Ranaut, he said, “Recently, we saw how a parliamentarian made demeaning remarks on the farmers’ protest.”
On the issue of rape, the RJD leader underscored the crucial need for a united response from leaders across the political spectrum. He emphasized that only through solidarity can the nation effectively combat this grave crime.
“Rape is a grave crime, be it the Kolkata incident, Hathras incident, or the Bilkis Bano case; every leader, including the Prime Minister, should be equally pained,” he said.
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He further questioned, “Why is all this happening? The country did not learn a thing after the Nirbhaya case.”
He stressed, “If the country aims to provide a safe environment for women, the difference between words and deeds must be eliminated.”
The Rajya Sabha MP also condemned Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s ‘Miya Muslim’ remarks, which were derogatory and discriminatory, stating that such language is unbecoming of someone holding a constitutional position.
“A Chief Minister should avoid using such hateful speech, as it affects everyone and shatters faith in the Constitution,” he said.
“When the Prime Minister will go abroad, how will he say that he comes from the land of Buddha?” he remarked.
Taking a jab at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s ‘Batenge to katenge’ remarks, the RJD leader speculated on the underlying directives behind such statements, suggesting that they incite violence and intolerance.
He accused the BJP of engaging in “dog-whistle politics” and “resorting to polarisation.”
On the recent renaming of eight railway stations in the Lucknow Division, Manoj Jha sarcastically remarked, “Now the trains will operate on time, and no accidents will occur. People will not board the trains in a rush, all because the names of the stations have been changed.”
He further mocked the government by suggesting that a dedicated department be established for renaming.
“Don’t change the names in retail, change them in wholesale,” he quipped, adding that perhaps renaming departments might even lead to job creation.
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