New Delhi, Feb 7 (UNI) The death of a young woman preparing for the NEET examination at a hostel in Patna has triggered a sharp political storm, with senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accusing the Bihar government and the BJP-led NDA of shielding the guilty and suppressing voices demanding justice. The arrest of independent MP Pappu Yadav, who has been protesting for a fair probe, has further escalated tensions.
In separate posts on X, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra alleged that the circumstances surrounding the student’s death, the handling of the case by authorities, and the subsequent arrest of Pappu Yadav point to a deeper, disturbing pattern of institutional failure and political protection.
Rahul Gandhi said the incident had once again exposed what he described as the “deep rot in the system.” Referring to the family’s demand for an impartial investigation, he alleged that the government resorted to its “old playbook” of diverting the case and harassing those seeking accountability.
“Patna mein NEET ki aakankshi chhatra ki sandigdh paristhitiyon mein hui maut aur uske baad ki poori karwai ne ek baar phir system ki gehri sadaanndh ko ujaagar kar diya hai,” Rahul Gandhi wrote. He said Pappu Yadav stood firmly, “is beti ke liye nyaay ki awaaz bankar” and termed his arrest “saaf taur par rajneetik pratishodh,” aimed at intimidating anyone who dares to question those in power.
Rahul Gandhi also warned that the case may not be an isolated incident. “Yeh ghatna kisi ek maamle tak seemit nahi lagti. Yeh ek bhayavah saazish aur khatarnaak pattern ki or ishara karti hai,” he said, adding that more young women could be victims while those in authority “aankhen moond kar baithe hain.”
“This is not about politics; it is about justice. It is about the dignity and safety of Bihar’s daughters,” he added.
Echoing similar concerns, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra described the case as “shocking” and accused the government of acting in a manner even more alarming than the crime itself.
“Patna ke hostel mein NEET ki taiyari kar rahi chhatra ke saath rape aur hatya ka maamla jhajhor dene wala hai. Is case ke saamne aane ke baad sarkar ka rawaiya usse bhi zyada khaufnaak hai,” she wrote. According to her, everything from the delay and manner of filing the FIR to the investigation and action taken has been rendered suspicious, raising the question: “Yeh sab kise bachane ke liye kiya ja raha hai?”
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra drew parallels with other high-profile cases of violence against women, saying, “Hathras, Unnao se lekar Ankita Bhandari aur Patna tak—jahan bhi mahilaon ke saath atyachar hota hai, BJP ki sarkarein peedit ko nyaay dilane ke bajay aaropiyon ke saath khadi ho jaati hain.” She said Pappu Yadav’s arrest for raising his voice in this case reflects the same “insensitive attitude.”
“BJP aur unke sahyogiyon ka agenda spasht hai—ve anyaay aur atyachar ke saath khade hain,” she added.
