BJP leader hits back at Azam over Bulandshahr rape remarks

Lucknow, Aug 3: After SP leader and Uttar Pradesh minister Azam Khan's controversial statement on Bulandshahr gangrape, a BJP leader today escalated the row by saying that his (Azam's) eye would open if his "wife and daughter were gangraped".

"Miyan Azam Khan ke beti aur bibi se gang rape ho jaye tab Azam ki aankh khulegi Bulandshahr highway par 12 saal ki beti aur maa ke saath gang rape par ochhi baat kahi," (Miyan Azam Khan's eye would open if his daughter and wife were gangraped, he has made absurd comments of Bulandshahr gangrape of 12 year old girl and her mother)," BJP spokesman IP Singh tweeted from his Twitter handle @ipsingh1432.

Reacting to Singh's comments, Azam said, "This is the culture of BJP. You can complain one with whom you expect decent talks."

"I am a sensitive person. Bulandshahr incident is condemnable and strict action is needed in the case. Similar incidents have also happened, if me or the government want to know the reality behind it, what is wrong in it? It will only increase sections in the FIR and in future could save a girl. If someone abuses me for that, then he can do so," he told reporters here.

Azam had earlier stoked controversy by suggesting that the Bulandshahr highway gangrape could be an outcome of political conspiracy against the ruling party, drawing condemnation from rival parties.

He termed the gangrape of the minor girl and her mother by a group of bandits near Bulandshahr last week as attempt to "malign" the Samajwadi Party (SP) government by those who want to "come to power" in poll-bound UP.

Assembly elections in UP are due early next year.

PTI