Congress leader Rahul Gandhi recently deflected questions about the brutal rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor in Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital and sought protection, saying “Don’t distract me”. Instead, he focused on his visit to RaeBareli, where he sought justice for a Dalit youth killed in Nasirabad. His refusal to comment on the Kolkata case has been labelled as selective outrage, with many accusing him of hypocrisy and prioritising political alliances over the safety and rights of women.
While addressing the media in RaeBareli, his parliamentary constituency, Rahul Gandhi was questioned about his stance on the gruesome rape and murder of a 23-year-old trainee doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The incident, which has sent shockwaves across the nation, has been a focal point of outrage, particularly because of the alleged mishandling of the case by the local authorities under the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
However, instead of addressing the issue, Rahul Gandhi deflected the question, saying, “I have come here to support the family of the victim (Dalit youth). I will not let you distract me from this matter. I will speak on the Kolkata doctor rape and murder case later.” This response has sparked widespread criticism, with many accusing Rahul Gandhi of selective outrage and political manoeuvring designed to protect his alliance with the TMC, a key partner in the Congress-led INDI alliance.
This incident is not the first time Rahul Gandhi has been accused of selectively choosing which victims to support based on political convenience. Over the years, Rahul Gandhi has positioned himself as a champion of justice, often speaking out forcefully against violence and crimes in states ruled by his political rivals. However, his silence or delayed response in cases occurring in states governed by his allies has not gone unnoticed.
Prajwal Revanna Case (2024)
In April 2024, just before the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections, a major scandal erupted in Karnataka involving Janata Dal (Secular) leader Prajwal Revanna, who was accused of multiple counts of sexual assault. Rahul Gandhi seized the opportunity to condemn the BJP, which had allied with JD(S) in the state, accusing them of supporting a criminal. During a rally in Shivamogga, Rahul Gandhi labelled the situation as “mass rape,” accusing BJP leaders of protecting Revanna despite his heinous crimes. He demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologise for campaigning alongside Revanna and called for swift justice for the victims.
Rahul Gandhi’s strong stance in this case was seen as an attempt to gain political mileage in Karnataka, a state where the Congress was vying for power. His actions were widely covered in the media, reinforcing his image as a defender of women’s rights—at least when it served his political interests.
Manipur Ethnic Violence (2023)
In 2023, Manipur was engulfed in ethnic violence that shocked the nation. Among the atrocities reported, the case of two Kuki women being paraded naked and sexually assaulted in Churachandpur district stood out. Rahul Gandhi was quick to react, tweeting, “Prime Minister, the issue is not that it’s a shame for the country. The issue is the immense pain and trauma inflicted on the women of Manipur. Stop the violence immediately.” His public condemnation of the incident was part of a broader strategy to criticise the BJP government’s handling of the situation in Manipur, a state governed by the party at the time.
Bilkis Bano Convicts’ Release (2022)
Rahul Gandhi also condemned the Gujarat government’s decision to release 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano case under their remission policy in 2022. These men had been convicted of raping Bilkis Bano, who was five months pregnant at the time, and murdering seven of her family members during the 2002 Gujarat riots. Rahul Gandhi took to social media to criticise the move, accusing the BJP of hypocrisy. “Those who raped a five-month-pregnant woman and killed her three-year-old daughter have been released during ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.’ What message are those who claim to champion ‘Nari Shakti’ sending to the women of our country?” Rahul Gandhi’s tweet highlighted the gap between the BJP’s rhetoric on women’s empowerment and their actions, according to him.
Kathua and Unnao Rape Cases (2018)
In 2018, two high-profile cases of rape and murder in Kathua (Jammu and Kashmir) and Unnao (Uttar Pradesh) prompted Rahul Gandhi to take to the streets. He led a midnight candlelight vigil at India Gate in New Delhi, demanding justice for the victims. Accompanied by senior Congress leaders, including his mother, Sonia Gandhi, and his sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the protest was a symbolic gesture meant to underscore the Congress party’s commitment to women’s safety and justice. “This is not a political issue but a national crisis that affects all women in the country,” Rahul Gandhi told reporters during the march.
However, critics pointed out that Rahul Gandhi’s involvement in these cases came after significant public outrage had already built up. This led to accusations that he was more interested in capitalising on the anger rather than addressing it proactively.
Rahul Gandhi’s refusal to address the Kolkata case has fueled speculation that his silence is motivated by his alliance with the Trinamool Congress (TMC), led by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The TMC, a crucial ally of the Congress under the INDI Alliance, governs the state where the crime occurred. Critics argue that Rahul Gandhi’s reluctance to speak out against the incident is calculated to avoid straining his political partnership with the TMC.
BJP leaders have been particularly vocal in their condemnation of Rahul Gandhi’s stance. BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla slammed Gandhi for dismissing the Kolkata incident as a “distraction.” He questioned Rahul Gandhi’s credibility, pointing out the Supreme Court’s criticism of the West Bengal government’s case handling. “How dare Rahul Gandhi call this a distraction? Is the Supreme Court indulging in distraction?” Poonawalla asked.
BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya also criticised Rahul Gandhi, calling him a “spineless creature” and questioning his aspirations to become Prime Minister. “Shameless Rahul Gandhi calls the brutal rape and murder of the young lady doctor a ‘distraction’. Such a spineless creature is aspiring to be the Prime Minister of India. Never,” Malviya tweeted.
Rahul Gandhi’s refusal to address the Kolkata case, especially given his history of vocal opposition to violence against women in other states, has led to widespread accusations of hypocrisy.
