Concerned over violence against Dalits, women: Congress

New Delhi, Aug 1: Expressing concern over what it said were growing incidents of violence against the Dalits, minorities and women in the country, the Congress on Monday said the Narendra Modi government was not doing anything to improve the situation.

"There have been anti-Dalits incidents. Incidents of violence and rape against women are also on the rise. Women are being raped and beaten up and no one from the government utters anything against it," Congress leader P.L. Punia told media here.

Punia said even Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who speaks on lots of issues, was yet to say a word on the atrocities against the Dalits, minorities and women.

He also criticized Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar's statement against actor Aamir Khan, wherein the minister allegedly said that people like him should be taught a lesson.

Punia said a gang rape victim in Haryana's Rohtak was being pressurised to withdraw the case and was raped again by the same accused.

"The overall situation under the present regime is not good. It's shameful," he said, accusing the people in power of "trying to save the culprits".

"The Congress denounces it. And it wants that the Dalits, women and other downtrodden are given due respect," the Congress leader said.

Speaking on the Goods and Services Tax Bill pending in the Rajya Sabha, Punia said that consultation between the government and his party was still on and the Congress will support the bill once contentious issues are sorted out.

IANS