The ruling BJP State General Secretary Ashok Koul Tuesday that the rightwing party has condemned the rape and murder of 8-year-old Kathua girl Asifa Bano and demanded severe punishment to the culprits.
“Right from beginning, BJP condemned the incident and whosoever is involved in this heinous crime shall be punished under the law,” Kaul told reporters on sidelines of one day party workers convention at Dak Bungalow, Sopore which was attended by 30-35 party workers.
He said the incident snowballed into a Hindu-Muslim case and a lot of confusion was created around it “but all is over now.”
On lawyers in Kathua court preventing Crime Branch officials from filing challan against the accused, Koul said, “They might have protested there but the chargesheet has been filed against the accused”.
“The guilty will be punished by the court. BJP wants severe punishment for the culprits,” he said.
On participation of two BJP ministers in protest rally organized by Hindu Ekta Manch supporting the Kathua rape and murder culprits, Koul said they had gone there to listen to people but did not said anything adverse against anyone or any community.
“They didn’t say anything against Muslims community or the locals. They had gone there to listen to the people. Participating in the rally doesn’t mean that BJP is supporting the culprits,” he said.
Earlier, while addressing the party workers convention, Koul said BJP favours the development and doesn’t believe in dynasty politics.
“BJP is a party for development. Development for all is our mission. Nowhere in BJP can you see dynasty rule unlike NC, Congress and PDP. After Farooq Abdullah there is Omar and even our coalition partner PDP took few steps forward by introducing ‘brother’ and ‘uncle’ in the party,” he said.
BJP not supporting bandh, wants severe punishment to culprits: Ashok Koul
