In the recent Hathras case, the state government is criticised of politicising the case. They have accused the opposition of attempting to disturb the harmony of the state and encouraging dirty politics using the dead bodies of the poor people.
The congress has conducted several protests in states like Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Arunachal Pradesh and Gujarat. Many Dalit leaders are questioning the method of investigation and appealed for a court-monitored inquiry.
The state government
Yogi Adityanath bashed the Congress for doing dirty politics over the Hathras case. The chief minister assured of dealing with these people as per the law of the land. He added that the opposition treats politics as a business and can go to any level to run their business. They see everything through the lens of caste and religion. He concluded ‘these people resort to any misdeed and disintegrate the social structure in order to keep their vote banks intact.’
Dalits demand a judicial inquiry
The Dalita Sangharsha Samithi (DSS) and other such organisations demanded a judicial investigation in the Hathras case in Uttar Pradesh. People orchestrated seeking an inquiry by the supreme court judge and demanded compensation of one crore for the family of the victim.
Opposition holds protests
The Congress conducted protests in several states namely, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Arunachal Pradesh, Gujarat and Karnataka seeking justice for the victim of the Hathras case. Congress party worker, Shyoraj Valmiki was detained before they could start the protest. A congress member was arrested accusing him of stirring hate and disrupting the peace after the videos had gone viral on social media. He also confirmed that Congress deliberately politicised the case.
Journalist from Kerala charged with treason
Siddique Kappan, journalist was accused of treason and other charges. He along with four others were charged by the Mathura court under IT Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, kept in custody for 14 days. As per the FIR, they had brochures of ‘Justice for Hathras Victim’, a laptop and multiple mobiles. It is also claimed that they had links with the PFI. however, journalist associations like The Press Association and the Indian Women Press Corps view this as an endeavor to silence the media.
The special investigation team given more time
The special investigation team had been given 10 days extension to investigate the case as the inquiry was not completed.
Initially the team was given seven days to submit their report on the Hathras investigation. The police had denid the rape claims as per the medical and post-mortem reports. However, the state government recommended a CBI probe for the case and the suspected conspiracy of pulling the case into class conflicts.