Spokesperson: Shri Rajendra Pal Gautam: Chairman of the AICC SC Department Rajendra Pal Gautam said that the police had failed to take action and added that atrocities against Dalits are rising in BJP-ruled states. He accused the BJP government in Rajasthan of shielding the perpetrators in the gang rape of a 15-year-old Dalit girl in Ajmer and a subsequent life-threatening attack on her family. He said 76 per cent of cases of atrocities against Dalits were reported from five BJP-ruled states, with Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan topping the list, followed by Bihar and Maharashtra.

He said that the particular crime took place in July 2024, but came to light only after the minor became pregnant, following which a Zero FIR was registered in New Delhi and later transferred to Ajmer.

Shri Gautam noted that despite the victim recording her statement before a magistrate under Section 164 of the CrPC, no arrests were made for eight months. He said that only one of the three accused was arrested later, while the police had briefly detained two accused under preventive provisions but later released them.

He further said that on March 16, ahead of a scheduled court appearance, the victim’s family was attacked with axes after refusing a compromise. A counter-FIR was also registered against the family, which was later closed, he added.

He demanded that the Rajasthan government provide immediate security to the victim and her family members, and grant compensation. He also called for cases to be registered against the police officials who flouted the law, and demanded their arrest.

Shri Rajendra Pal Gautam also thanked Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi for writing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking the withdrawal of cases linked to the 2018 protests to protect the SC/ST Act. Saturday April 4, 2026