Hathras gang-rape: Dissent emerges from within BJP, Loni MLA demands action against Hathras DM, cops

As pressure mounts on the Yogi Adityanath-led UP government for inaction over Hathras gang-rape in which a Dalit girl was allegedly raped by upper caste men and succumbed to her injuries later, voices of dissent have started emerging from within the ruling BJP.

Its Loni MLA Nandkishor Gurjar demanded action against the Hathras DM, Praveen Kumar Laxkar and senior police officials on Thursday. In a recorded video which was shared by filmmaker and former journalist Vinod Kapri, Gurjar can be heard saying that action must be taken against the Hathras DM.

Although he also says a conspiracy has been hatched against the “good work” done by the BJP, UP watchers feel Gurjar's comment should be seen in light of his strained relationship with CM Yogi Adityanath.

Earlier in the day, head of the Congress media department, Randeep Surjewala shared a video in which Laxkar can be seen issuing threats to the victim's family.

Congress general secretary in charge of Uttar Pradesh Priyanka Gandhi also shared a video in which the victim's father can be heard about the pressure put on him by the DM.

It is worth recalling here that Gurjar had tried to mount an unsuccessful coup against Yogi in 2019. In December 2019 when he was not allowed to speak in the Assembly, he led a group of 100 BJP MLAs and sat on dharna in the Assembly. In the past, he has accused the Yogi government for harassing him.

Gujjar has, in fact, antagonised the BJP brass in UP many times. He was issued a show-cause notice by state BJP president Swatantra Dev Singh when he slapped a food security officer in 2019. He was also in the news for writing a letter to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath alleging that some people in the party were conspiring to eliminate him.