New Delhi: Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal has condemned an alleged incident of humiliation and torture involving a woman in West Bengal’s Paschim Medinipur district, demanding strict punishment for those responsible.
In a statement, Venugopal described the alleged treatment of the woman, including her being disrobed and subjected to a “purification ritual”, as deeply disturbing. He accused the BJP and the RSS of pursuing a divisive agenda and alleged that the incident reflected a wider pattern of violence and intimidation against minorities.
Venugopal also raised concerns over what he described as a rise in targeted attacks against Christians across the country. Citing the reported arrest of nuns in Chhattisgarh and alleged desecration of churches in BJP-ruled states, he accused the BJP-RSS of creating an atmosphere of fear among minority communities.
Referring to Article 25 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practise and propagate religion, Venugopal said such incidents ran counter to the constitutional values of religious freedom and fraternity.
He further alleged that perpetrators of attacks on minorities were being allowed to act with impunity and accused the police of failing to intervene effectively. He also alleged that such incidents were taking place with the backing of the BJP’s central leadership.
