'India will move forward when...': Rahul slams BJP after meeting Ankita Bhandari's family

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi harshly criticized the BJP over the 2022 murder of Ankita Bhandari, a 19-year-old receptionist at an Uttarakhand resort. Gandhi met Bhandari's family two days ago and expressed his disappointment that four years later, they are still waiting for justice for their daughter's unforgivable crime. The meeting took place in Pauri Garhwal district, where Bhandari was reported missing in September 2022 and found dead in a canal four days later.

Postmortem reports confirmed evidence of violence and drowning, but Gandhi pointed out that Bhandari's room at the Vanantara Resort was demolished before any investigation could begin, which he deemed suspicious.

Gandhi alleged that the state government continues to protect a high-profile VIP, a prominent leader of the BJP-RSS, due to their political connections. He accused the BJP of having a warped mentality, which involves protecting rapists and criminals and providing them with political protection. Gandhi emphasized that the BJP is filled with individuals who defend rapists and should be ashamed of themselves.

He concluded by stating that India cannot progress until the inhuman mentality that treats women as mere objects for men's use is eradicated. Gandhi stressed that India will only move forward when women in the country are treated with respect, safety, equality, and justice.